Catchpole

Catchpole
This curious surname, chiefly found in East Anglia, is of Old French origin, and derives from the Old French "chacepol", Old Norman French "cachepol" (in medieval Latin "chassipullus") meaning "chase fowl". The name was originally occupational for a tax-gatherer authorized to chase and seize farmyard fowl in default of money (debts and taxes), and later referred to a petty officer of justice, a sheriff's officer or sergeant, especially a warrant officer who arrests for debt. The catchpole was frequently over-enthusiastic in the execution of his duties, as the following quotation from "Piers Plowman" suggests: "A cachepol cam forth, And cracked both their legges". The weapon carried by the catchpole may still be seen in the Tower of London. This surname has the distinction of being first recorded in the Domesday Book (see below), and further early examples include: Robert le Chachepol (Middlesex, 1154), and Hugo le Cachepol (Shropshire, 1221). Margaret Catchpole (1773 - 1841), adventuress, stole her Suffolk master's horse to join a seaman in London (1797), subsequently escaped from Ipswich gaol, and was transported to Australia (1801). The Catchpole Coat of Arms is a gold shield with two cubit arms issuing from the dexter and sinister base points, clothed in red, and grasping the pole or head of a black hart cabossed in fesse, with a raven perched thereupon between three horns proper. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Aluricus Chacepol, which was dated 1086, in the Domesday Book of Middlesex, during the reign of King William 1, known as "William the Conqueror", 1066 - 1087. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • Catchpole — is a rare surname derived from a law enforcement implement found in medieval England. The catchpole usually consisted of an eight foot wooden pole with some sort of noose or barbed fork on one end. Law enforcement officers (usually the Sheriff)… …   Wikipedia

  • catchpole — or catchpoll [kach′pōl΄] n. [ME cacchepol & Late OE cæcepol, tax gatherer < Anglo Fr cache pol, lit., chicken chaser < ML cacepollus < * cacere (< VL * captiare: see CATCH) + L pullus, fowl: see POULTRY] [Brit. Historical] a sheriff s …   English World dictionary

  • CATCHPOLE, Margaret (1762-1819) — adventuress was born at Nacton, Suffolk, on 14 March 1762. Her father, Jonathan Catchpole, was a head ploughman. When little more than a child she rode bareback into Ipswich to obtain a doctor, guiding the horse with a halter. She went out to… …   Dictionary of Australian Biography

  • catchpole — or catchpoll noun Etymology: Middle English cacchepol, from Anglo French cachepole, literally, chicken chaser, from cacher + pol chicken, from Latin pullus more at catch, pullet Date: before 12th century a sheriff s deputy; especially one who… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • catchpole — catchpolery, catchpollery, n. /kach pohl /, n. (formerly) a petty officer of justice, esp. one arresting persons for debt. Also, catchpoll. [bef. 1050; ME cacchepol, late OE caecephol < ML cacepollus tax gatherer, lit., chase fowl, equiv. to cace …   Universalium

  • catchpole — noun /ˈkatʃpəʊl/ a) A sheriff’s officer, usually one who arrests debtors. The use of the catch pole is said to have been to take horsemen in battle by the neck and drag them from their horses. b) An implement formerly used for seizing and… …   Wiktionary

  • catchpole — n. law enforcement clerk, deputy of a sheriff who arrests persons for debt (Archaic) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • catchpole — catch·pole …   English syllables

  • catchpole — catch•pole or catch•poll [[t]ˈkætʃˌpoʊl[/t]] n. gov (formerly) a petty officer of justice, esp. one arresting persons for debt • Etymology: bef. 1050; ME cacchepol, late OE cæcephol < ML cacepollus tax gatherer, lit., chase fowl =cace (<… …   From formal English to slang

  • Catchpole — /ˈkætʃpoʊl/ (say kachpohl) noun 1. Kenneth, born 1939, Australian Rugby Union Test player. 2. Margaret, 1762–1819, Australian convict and pioneer settler, born in England …  

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