UK surname
A surname potentially derived from the nickname "cat" or an animal name.
In the 1881 census there were 29 people recorded with the Catts surname, ranking it #29,484 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5, ranked #38,264, down from #29,484 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Greenwich, London parishes and Hammersmith. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Catts is 123 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 82.8%.
1881 census count
29
Ranked #29,484
Modern count
5
2016, ranked #38,264
Peak year
1861
123 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Catts surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Catts 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 | 41 | #25,926 |
| 1861 | historical | 123 | #17,914 |
| 1881 | historical | 29 | #29,484 |
| 1891 | historical | 63 | #28,881 |
| 1901 | historical | 77 | #25,627 |
| 1911 | historical | 46 | #28,224 |
| 1997 | modern | 8 | #37,372 |
| 1998 | modern | 4 | #38,082 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 4 | #38,004 |
| 2001 | modern | 4 | #37,862 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 4 | #37,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 6 | #37,655 |
| 2005 | modern | 4 | #38,078 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 5 | #38,004 |
| 2008 | modern | 5 | #38,027 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 4 | #38,371 |
| 2011 | modern | 3 | #38,546 |
| 2012 | modern | 5 | #38,167 |
| 2013 | modern | 5 | #38,195 |
| 2014 | modern | 4 | #38,376 |
| 2015 | modern | 5 | #38,221 |
| 2016 | modern | 5 | #38,264 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Greenwich, London parishes, Hammersmith, Charles and Balderton. 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 | Greenwich | London (South Districts) |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Hammersmith | London (West Districts) |
| 4 | Charles | Devon |
| 5 | Balderton | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Catts 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 Catts, 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 Catts surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Catts 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, Catts 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 Catts is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Catts, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname CATTS is of English origin and dates back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "cat", which was used as a nickname for someone who exhibited cat-like traits or behavior. The earliest recorded spelling of the name was found in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1197, where it was written as "Catte".
In the Domesday Book of 1086, there are several references to places with names that may have contributed to the development of the surname CATTS. For instance, the village of Catshill in Worcestershire and the hamlet of Catton in Norfolk are both mentioned. These place names likely originated from the Old English words "catt" and "tun", meaning "cat" and "enclosure" or "settlement", respectively.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname CATTS was William Catte, who was listed in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1292. Another early bearer of the name was John Catte, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1301.
During the 16th century, the surname CATTS appeared in various forms, such as Catt, Catte, and Cattes. One notable figure from this period was Thomas Catt (c. 1530-1593), an English Catholic priest and martyr who was executed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
In the 17th century, the surname CATTS was found in various parts of England, including London, Essex, and Hertfordshire. One prominent individual with this name was Robert Catt (1622-1679), an English merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Ipswich.
In the 18th century, the surname CATTS continued to be used across England, with several individuals bearing this name making their mark in various fields. One such person was John Catt (1708-1779), an English architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Foundling Hospital.
As the surname CATTS spread across England and beyond, it also underwent various spelling variations, such as Cats, Catt, and Catts. In the 19th century, notable individuals with this surname included William Catts (1812-1887), an English cricketer who played for Surrey County Cricket Club, and Richard Catts (1832-1899), an Australian politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Catts 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. Middlesex leads with 14 Catts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.88x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 14 | 3.88x |
| Channel Islands | 8 | 74.84x |
| Essex | 7 | 9.83x |
| Hertfordshire | 4 | 16.08x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 4.11x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.93x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.81x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Anne in Channel Islands leads with 8 Catts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 4210.53x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Anne | 8 | 4210.53x |
| Hammersmith London | 6 | 67.49x |
| Romford | 6 | 530.97x |
| Tottenham | 6 | 104.35x |
| Stanstead Abbots | 4 | 2666.67x |
| Bromley | 1 | 53.19x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 4.99x |
| Newark Upon Trent | 1 | 57.14x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 7.54x |
| Silksworth | 1 | 2000.00x |
| West Ham | 1 | 6.36x |
| Worksop | 1 | 69.44x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Catts 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 Catts 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 Catts households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 10 |
| Teacher School | 4 |
| Apprentice Drapery | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| General Serv Domc | 1 |
| House Carpenter | 1 |
| House Carpenter Wife | 1 |
| Housekeeper Serv | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Maltmaker &c (Malster) | 1 |
| Nurse Dom Serv | 1 |
| Nurse Domestic | 1 |
| Pianoforte Hammer Coverer | 1 |
| Retired Farmer | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 29 people were recorded with the Catts surname. That placed it at #29,484 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 5 in 2016. That gives Catts a modern rank of #38,264.
A surname potentially derived from the nickname "cat" or an animal name.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Catts 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.