Find out how popular the last name Catha is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Catha.

Catha, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Catha surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Catha in America

Catha is the 129825th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Catha surname appeared 131 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Catha.

We can also compare 2010 data for Catha to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Catha

The surname Catha is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, with its earliest known roots traced back to the 13th century. The name is thought to derive from the Old English word "cæth," meaning "wild" or "fierce," suggesting that it may have been initially used as a descriptive nickname for someone with a bold or aggressive demeanor.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Catha name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a collection of medieval tax records from 1273, which mentions a "Willelmus Catha." This entry suggests that the surname was already established by the late 13th century, likely originating as a byname before becoming an inherited family name.

In the 14th century, the Catha surname appears in various historical documents, including the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, which lists a "Johannes Catha" from the village of Wharram Percy. This record provides evidence of the name's presence in the northern regions of England during this time period.

Throughout the centuries, the Catha surname has been subject to various spelling variations, such as Cather, Cathow, and Cathow, reflecting the inconsistencies in record-keeping and regional dialects of the time. Additionally, some early references suggest a potential connection between the Catha name and certain place names, such as Catham or Cathaugh, although the exact origins of these associations remain uncertain.

Notable individuals who have borne the Catha surname include:

1. William Catha (c. 1325 - 1389), a wealthy merchant from York who was involved in the wool trade and served as a city alderman.
2. John Catha (c. 1460 - 1522), a prominent landowner and member of the gentry in Lincolnshire, known for his involvement in local politics and disputes over land rights.
3. Elizabeth Catha (c. 1570 - 1635), a renowned herbalist and midwife from Oxfordshire, renowned for her extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and her contributions to women's healthcare.
4. Thomas Catha (c. 1620 - 1692), a Puritan minister who emigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1630s and served as a pastor in several New England towns.
5. Henry Catha (1772 - 1848), an English inventor and engineer who is credited with developing an early form of the safety valve for steam engines, contributing to the advancement of industrial technology during the Industrial Revolution.

While the Catha surname may have originated as a descriptive nickname, it has evolved into a proud family name with a rich history spanning multiple centuries and regions of England. Despite its relatively uncommon nature, the name has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of English history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Catha

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Catha.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Catha was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Catha has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Catha was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Catha, please contact us.

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