Cattermull

This very unusual and interesting name, more usually found as "Cattermole" and also as "Cattermoul" or "Cattermull", is found mainly in Norfolk and in Suffolk with some examples in London. There are two possible origins for the name, the first being as a localised, East Anglian descriptive (topographical) term denoting "the dweller at the dyke", a "mole" being a dyke or bank. The second possible source is Low German or Flemish of unknown origin, but thought to be a Flemish Huguenot name brought to England in the first mass immigration of Protestant refugees from religious persecution in Europe in the late 16th Century. The marriage of Mary Cattermole and Thomas Burgis was recorded at Alburgh, Norfolk, on November 18th 1672. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Anne Catmoll, married John Dearns, which was dated 1641, Woodbastwick, Norfolk, during the reign of King Charles 1, known as "The Martyr", 1625 - 1649. 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.