UK surname
An English surname derived from the Middle English word "cather" meaning someone who gathered or harvested crops.
In the 1881 census there were 68 people recorded with the Cather surname, ranking it #23,950 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 73, ranked #33,502, down from #23,950 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Hamilton, St Leonard Shoreditch and Blantyre. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cather is 118 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 7.4%.
1881 census count
68
Ranked #23,950
Modern count
73
2016, ranked #33,502
Peak year
1861
118 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Cather surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Cather surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 71 | #20,875 |
| 1861 | historical | 118 | #18,512 |
| 1881 | historical | 68 | #23,950 |
| 1891 | historical | 50 | #30,253 |
| 1901 | historical | 36 | #30,099 |
| 1911 | historical | 14 | #32,045 |
| 1997 | modern | 57 | #31,917 |
| 1998 | modern | 59 | #32,027 |
| 1999 | modern | 63 | #31,798 |
| 2000 | modern | 58 | #32,317 |
| 2001 | modern | 58 | #32,180 |
| 2002 | modern | 57 | #32,661 |
| 2003 | modern | 53 | #33,076 |
| 2004 | modern | 56 | #33,067 |
| 2005 | modern | 55 | #33,349 |
| 2006 | modern | 58 | #33,433 |
| 2007 | modern | 63 | #33,243 |
| 2008 | modern | 68 | #33,047 |
| 2009 | modern | 69 | #33,257 |
| 2010 | modern | 72 | #33,324 |
| 2011 | modern | 64 | #33,917 |
| 2012 | modern | 68 | #33,763 |
| 2013 | modern | 72 | #33,631 |
| 2014 | modern | 70 | #33,782 |
| 2015 | modern | 72 | #33,595 |
| 2016 | modern | 73 | #33,502 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Hamilton, St Leonard Shoreditch, Blantyre, Govan Combination and Uppingham, Beaumont Chase. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamilton | Lanark |
| 2 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | Blantyre | Lanark |
| 4 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 5 | Uppingham, Beaumont Chase | Rutland |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Cather surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Cather, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Cather surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Cather household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Cather is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Cather is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Cather, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Cather originated in England during the early medieval period, likely derived from the Old English word "cǣter," meaning "food provider" or "caterer." This occupational surname was given to individuals whose trade involved supplying or preparing food and provisions.
The earliest known record of the name Cather dates back to the 13th century, appearing in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273 as "John le Catour." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name from its Old English roots.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Cathour" in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379 and "Catour" in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1332. These records suggest that the name was prevalent in different regions of England during that time.
One notable historical figure bearing the Cather surname was William Cather, an English merchant and influential figure in the City of London during the 16th century. He served as an alderman and sheriff of London in the mid-1500s.
Another significant individual was Willa Cather, an American novelist and author born in 1873. She is renowned for her novels depicting life on the Great Plains, including "O Pioneers!" and "My Ántonia." Cather's literary works are considered masterpieces of American literature.
In the early 17th century, the name appeared in parish records, such as the baptism of John Cather in Bilsby, Lincolnshire, in 1616. This further confirms the presence of the Cather surname in various regions of England during that period.
The 18th century saw the emergence of notable individuals like William Cather, an English clergyman born in 1722, who served as the rector of Quadring in Lincolnshire. He published several theological works during his lifetime.
Another individual of note was Joseph Cather, a British naval officer born in 1762, who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. He was commended for his bravery and leadership during several naval engagements.
While the Cather surname has its origins in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through migration and settlement. The name continues to be found in various countries, carrying with it a rich history and connections to its occupational roots.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cather surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lanarkshire leads with 33 Cathers recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.39x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 33 | 15.39x |
| Surrey | 10 | 3.09x |
| Kent | 7 | 3.09x |
| Renfrewshire | 4 | 7.78x |
| Sussex | 4 | 3.58x |
| Ayrshire | 2 | 4.03x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 1.37x |
| Dorset | 2 | 4.60x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.30x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 2.38x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.74x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hamilton in Lanarkshire leads with 22 Cathers recorded in 1881 and an index of 367.89x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | 22 | 367.89x |
| Govan | 10 | 18.85x |
| Clapham | 7 | 84.44x |
| Hythe St Leonard | 6 | 750.00x |
| Bexhill | 4 | 714.29x |
| West Greenock | 4 | 43.38x |
| Bellchalwell | 2 | 5000.00x |
| Largs | 2 | 170.94x |
| Sandbach | 2 | 160.00x |
| Southwark St John | 2 | 98.52x |
| Cambusnethan | 1 | 21.01x |
| Littleport | 1 | 125.00x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 4.10x |
| Plumstead | 1 | 13.26x |
| Portsea | 1 | 3.75x |
| Southwark St Saviour | 1 | 29.33x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.87x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Cather surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Cather surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Cather households.
FAQ
In 1881, 68 people were recorded with the Cather surname. That placed it at #23,950 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 73 in 2016. That gives Cather a modern rank of #33,502.
An English surname derived from the Middle English word "cather" meaning someone who gathered or harvested crops.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Cather bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.