This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Cathcart,' a town in Renfrewshire.

1744. Married — Robert Cathart and Elizabeth Jones: St. George's Chapel, Mayfair.

Of territorial origin from the lands of Cathcart in Renfrewshire. The first of the family came to Scotland with Walter fitz Alan, the first of the Stewards, and from his name, Rainald, may like his leader, have been of Breton origin. Rainald appears as witness to a charter by Alan fitz Waiter conveying the patronage of the church of Ketheart to the monastery of Paisley c. 1178 (RMP., p. 12). He also witnessed, as Ranulfus de Ketkert, a similar charter by Alan, the son of Walter in favor of the same house c. 1202—3 (ibid., p. 14). As Reginaldus de Cathekert he witnessed another charter by the same Alan to Robert Croc of the lands of Kellebrid c. 1200 (Lennox, II, p. 2). His son, William de Cathkert witnessed a charter whereby Duugallus filius Cristini de Levenax exchanged the lands of Cnoc with the monastery of Paisley for lands near Walkeinschaw in 1234 (RMP., p. 180). William de Kathkerte of the county of Arne rendered homage in 1296 (Bain, II, p. 205). Sir Alan of Cathcart, an adherent of Bruce, was probably the first to be designated dominus ejusdem (in 1336) (LCD., p. 158). Adam Cathcart was heir of Thomas Cathcart in Mylneholme of Auchincreif his father in 1622 (Retours, Ayr, 215). The name was originally pronounced Cathcart but has now been Anglicized into Cathcart. Kethkert 1451.

The earl of this title derives his name from the lands and town of Cathcart, co. Renfrew, and from Reynald de C. in the XI. cent.

Local: from the parish of Cathcart in Renfrewshire. The parish is situated where the river Cart runs through a narrow channel, and caeth signifies a strait; whence the name has originated. The family are descended from Sir Reynold de Kathcart, a Crusader, temp. Richard I.

(Gaelic.) Local. From the parish of Cathcart, in Lanark and Renfrew, Scotland. The river Cart runs through it, whence the name is derived. Caeth—Cart, from caeth, a strait, the river here running in a narrow channel.

From Cabane or Chabannes in Perigord. William, Count of Poitou, m. a dau. of the Count of Toulouse, and had issue Hugh de Poitiers, Baron or Prince of Chabannes, who m., 1098, a dau. of the Count of La Marche, and was father of William and Louis de Chabannes, from whom descended the Marquises of that name. A branch of this house came to England, of which was Bartholomew Caban of Berks, living 1322.