NameCensus.

UK surname

Cattanach

An Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic surname derived from the personal name "Cathanach" meaning "warrior".

In the 1881 census there were 379 people recorded with the Cattanach surname, ranking it #8,268 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 667, ranked #8,009, up from #8,268 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Birse, Gateshead and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lochaber East and North, Tain and Dunecht, Durris and Drumoak.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cattanach is 675 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 76.0%.

1881 census count

379

Ranked #8,268

Modern count

667

2016, ranked #8,009

Peak year

2010

675 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cattanach had 379 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,268 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 667 in 2016, ranked #8,009.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 513 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Cattanach surname distribution map

The map shows where the Cattanach surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Cattanach surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cattanach over time

The 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 282 #8,013
1861 historical 325 #7,835
1881 historical 379 #8,268
1891 historical 452 #8,050
1901 historical 513 #7,901
1911 historical 103 #22,328
1997 modern 641 #7,739
1998 modern 657 #7,842
1999 modern 656 #7,893
2000 modern 648 #7,951
2001 modern 623 #8,048
2002 modern 626 #8,196
2003 modern 611 #8,216
2004 modern 597 #8,375
2005 modern 604 #8,238
2006 modern 615 #8,127
2007 modern 618 #8,174
2008 modern 628 #8,121
2009 modern 647 #8,107
2010 modern 675 #7,995
2011 modern 647 #8,183
2012 modern 635 #8,220
2013 modern 645 #8,264
2014 modern 652 #8,233
2015 modern 650 #8,196
2016 modern 667 #8,009

Geography

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Where Cattanachs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Birse, Gateshead, Edinburgh, Laggan and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lochaber East and North, Tain, Dunecht, Durris and Drumoak, Fairmuir and Aboyne and South Deeside. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Birse Aberdeen
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Laggan Inverness
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lochaber East and North Highland
2 Tain Highland
3 Dunecht, Durris and Drumoak Aberdeenshire
4 Fairmuir Dundee City
5 Aboyne and South Deeside Aberdeenshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cattanach

These lists show first names that appear often with the Cattanach surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cattanach

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Cattanach, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Cattanach surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Cattanach household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Cattanach is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Cattanach is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Cattanach falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Cattanach is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Cattanach, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Cattanach

The surname Cattanach originated in Scotland during the medieval era, deriving from the Gaelic words "cath" meaning "battle" and "neach" meaning "person." This suggests the name may have been given to someone who was skilled in battle or had a fierce demeanor.

The earliest known records of the Cattanach name date back to the 13th century, with mentions found in various Scottish charters and manuscripts from that time period. One notable reference is in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1264, which lists a "John Cathaneche" as a landowner in Kinross-shire.

The name was particularly prevalent in the regions of Perthshire, Angus, and Fife, where the clan Cattanach held lands and influence. The spelling of the name varied over time, with variations such as Cattenach, Catnach, and Catnick appearing in historical records.

In the 16th century, a branch of the Cattanach family settled in the village of Auchterhouse, near Dundee. One notable member was David Cattanach (1560-1631), a prominent scholar and minister who served as the Rector of the University of Edinburgh from 1620 to 1631.

Another famous Cattanach was James Cattanach (1758-1832), a Scottish poet and songwriter from Montrose. He is best known for his collection of poems titled "The Poetical Works of James Cattanach," published in 1832.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Cattanach name spread beyond Scotland as some members of the clan emigrated to other parts of the British Empire and the United States. One such individual was John Cattanach (1789-1867), a Scottish-born merchant who settled in Newfoundland and became a prominent figure in the local business community.

In the literary world, James Cattanach (1834-1907) was a Scottish author and journalist who wrote extensively on Scottish history and folklore. His best-known work is the book "The Traditions of Fife," published in 1891.

While not as widespread as some other Scottish surnames, the Cattanach name has left its mark on history, with notable individuals across various fields, including religion, literature, and commerce.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cattanach families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cattanach surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Aberdeenshire leads with 85 Cattanachs recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.83x.

County Total Index
Aberdeenshire 85 24.83x
Inverness-shire 84 76.08x
Midlothian 38 7.67x
Lanarkshire 27 2.26x
Banffshire 22 28.69x
Morayshire 21 36.56x
Perthshire 17 10.25x
Angus 16 4.67x
Ross-shire 14 13.79x
Middlesex 10 0.27x
Argyllshire 9 8.75x
Nairnshire 6 53.19x
Berkshire 5 1.80x
Sussex 5 0.80x
Kincardineshire 4 8.88x
Yorkshire 4 0.11x
Stirlingshire 3 2.20x
West Lothian 3 5.39x
Durham 2 0.18x
Renfrewshire 2 0.70x
Fife 1 0.46x
Roxburghshire 1 1.49x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kingussie Insh in Inverness-shire leads with 60 Cattanachs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2371.54x.

Place Total Index
Kingussie Insh 60 2371.54x
Birse 28 2014.39x
Aberdeen Old Machar 17 23.78x
Barony 17 5.62x
South Leith 14 25.12x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 13 20.29x
Laggan 12 1025.64x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 11 5.52x
Knockando 11 472.10x
Elgin 10 89.53x
Glenmuick Tullich 10 404.86x
Shoreditch London 9 5.62x
Crathie Braemar 8 390.24x
Fearn 8 296.30x
Kirkmichael 8 588.24x
Liff Benvie 8 15.39x
Scone 8 271.19x
Botriphnie 7 786.52x
Glasgow 7 3.30x
Edinburgh St Marys 6 62.31x
Ardclach 5 354.61x
Buckland 5 549.45x
Moy Dalarossie 5 480.77x
Wadhurst 5 122.25x
Ardchattan Muckairn 4 157.48x
Dundee 4 3.13x
Glenshiel 4 740.74x
Inverness 4 14.40x
Lismore Appin 4 116.96x
Ovenden 4 24.54x
West Calder 4 40.98x
Auchtergaven 3 107.91x
Boness 3 39.06x
Laurencekirk 3 114.94x
Rathven 3 20.82x
St Ninians 3 22.19x
Tibbermore 3 126.05x
Alvie 2 222.22x
Bendochy 2 222.22x
Blantyre 2 16.06x
Edinburgh St Stephens 2 20.51x
Heworth 2 9.23x
Inveravon 2 61.16x
Kinnettles 2 408.16x
Kintore 2 67.11x
Logie Coldstone 2 173.91x
Rosskeen 2 41.84x
West Greenock 2 3.89x
Aboyne 1 55.25x
Banchory Ternan 1 25.71x
Cairney 1 50.25x
Dunoon Kilmun 1 12.45x
Edinburgh St Johns 1 31.95x
Ellon 1 21.23x
Forfar 1 5.39x
Forgan 1 23.87x
Fraserburgh 1 10.37x
Glamis 1 48.31x
Glass 1 76.34x
Govan 1 0.34x
Keith 1 12.22x
Kensington London 1 0.49x
Logierait 1 34.25x
Melrose 1 17.27x
Mortlach 1 26.74x
Nairn 1 14.60x
Urquhart Glenmoriston 1 32.05x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Cattanach surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Jane 4
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Ann 1
Catherine 1
Elspet 1
Emma 1
Jessie 1
Margaret 1
Susan 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Cattanach surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Alexander 3
Neil 2
David 1
Frank 1
Henry 1
James 1
John 1
Shaw 1
Thomas 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Cattanach households.

FAQ

Cattanach surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cattanach surname in 1881?

In 1881, 379 people were recorded with the Cattanach surname. That placed it at #8,268 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cattanach surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 667 in 2016. That gives Cattanach a modern rank of #8,009.

What does the Cattanach surname mean?

An Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic surname derived from the personal name "Cathanach" meaning "warrior".

What does the Cattanach map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Cattanach bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.