Surname Cathkart - Meaning and Origin
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Cathkart: What does the surname Cathkart mean?
The last name Cathkart is of Scottish origin and has been derived from the lands of Cathcart in Renfrewshire, Scotland. The name itself is believed to have ancient Celtic roots, with "caer" meaning fort and "cart" referring to the Cart River, essentially translating to "fort on the Cart". This suggests that the first people with the surname may have resided or held a fort near the Cart River. The Cathcart family played a crucial role in Scotland's history, notably during the Scottish Wars of Independence. The surname has several variations including Cathcarte, Kathcart, Catcarth, and others. Today, individuals with the last name Cathkart can be found globally, reflecting the widespread Scottish diaspora.
Order DNA origin analysisCathkart: Where does the name Cathkart come from?
The last name Cathcart or Cathkart is of Scottish origin and originates from the village of Cathcart in the historic county of Renfrewshire, now part of the City of Glasgow. The name is believed to derive from the Gaelic "caithe cart" meaning "the fort on the river Cart," pointing to the strategic location of Cathcart Castle in the region. The Cathcart family included clan chiefs and nobles who played influential roles in Scotland's history.
In terms of prevalence today, the name can be found in the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland, due to its place of origin. According to recent statistics, it is most common in Northern Ireland. It's also widespread in countries where there was significant Scottish migration, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, it isn't as common as other Scottish surnames. Because of printing and other errors over time, there may be multiple spelling variations of this surname such as Cathcart, Cathcarde, Cathcarte, and Kathcart.
Variations of the surname Cathkart
The surname Cathkart is Scottish in origin, coming from an area near Glasgow named Cathcart. There are various spellings and related names evolved over time due to regional dialects, mistakes in records, or simply to differentiate families. Some variants include Cathcart, Cathert, Kathcart, Kathert, Cathket, and Kathket. Variants specific to the Irish-Scots diaspora in the United States might include Cathcard or Cathcarth.
In addition, the surname has spawned several 'Sept' names, which denote familial branches or clans. Among these are names like MacGufficke, which signifies 'Son of the servant of Cathcart'. Similarly, patronymic (derived from a paternal ancestor) derivatives like Cathcartson and Cathcartsonne might also be encountered in some historical records.
It's worth noting that spelling variations even within a single document were not uncommon in ancient times, as literacy was not widespread and standardized spelling rules were not yet established. Thus, Cathkart and its variants can be considered to have the same or a similar origin, with the differences largely due to the passage of time and geographic dispersion.
Famous people with the name Cathkart
- Brian Cathcart: A renowned journalist, historian, and professor, Brian Cathcart has written many books on history and journalism.
- Kevin Cathcart: An American lawyer who is known for his contributions to LGBTQ rights. He served as the Executive Director of 'Lambda Legal', a legal organization in United States that fights for the civil rights of LGBT people.
- Steve Cathcart: This British actor has appeared in notable movies and series like 'Brooklyn', 'Yes, Prime Minister' and 'Take the High Road'.
- Robert Cathcart: An American physician known for his work in orthomolecular medicine.
- Bruce Cathcart: A Canadian ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League during the 1940s.
- Alexander Cathcart: A prominent soldier in the British army who served in the Seven Years’ War, the Jacobite Rebellion, and in India.
- George Cathcart: A British military general, diplomat, and colonial administrator, remembered for his service in the Crimean War and as the Governor of the Cape Colony.