Cattach

This interesting name is a derivative alternative spelling of the Scottish Gaelic 'Cattoch'- a name originally found only in the Buchan District of Aberdenshire. The name origin is probably from the Gaelic 'Catarach' a personal name which means 'Little Cat' and also found in Cato. The name is first recorded in the 15th Century and developed as Cattache (1633) and Cattoch (1685). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Andrew Cathoch. which was dated 1463, Witness in Aberdeen Court. during the reign of James III of Scotland 1460 - 1488. 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.