The Clan Cathcart

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Cathcart is a surname as well as a town, just south of Glasgow. The Cathcart Kirk, Cathcart Castle, and various other abbeys were all still standing in Cathcart as of the book entitled "Why Cathcart?" published in May of 1972. By now, a lot of these ancient buildings are probably gone.

There is some speculation as to the origin of the name Cathcart. Some believe it is ancient Celtic meaning, "Fort on the River Cart", as that river flows right past the ancient castle. Others believe it means, "The straight or confined part of the Cart River". Be that as it may, the name is ancient, but originally spelled KERKERT or KETHKERT, probably because of pronounciation.

The Peerage refers to the Cathcart Clan. The first known mention of the Kethcarts, is a man named Rainaldus de Kethcart, who witnessed a charter by Walter Fitzalan to the Church of Kethcart for the monastery of Paisley in 1178. The peerage follows the line of Cathcarts all the way to the late 1700's. Notable Cathcarts include Sir Alan Cathcart, who was a companion of King Robert I when he mounted the throne in 1307, and was engaged on his side at the Battle of Loudoun-hill that same year, when the Scots defeated the British. The next year, he was made one of Edward Bruce's party of 50 horsemen who attacked and dispersed 1500 calvary under John de St. John in Galloway. The peerage quotes on old poem about Sir Alan's bravery and good humor. Another notable was the first Lord Cathcart, dignified with the honour in 1447 by King James II.

Killochan Castle in Ayr, built by John Cathcart in 1586.

Information and images provided by Christopher Cathcart


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