Cater

This very interesting name is of Olde French origin and derives from 'A Chatour'- meaning one who bought the provisions for a Lords Castle or House. The name was introduced into England after the 1066 Norman Invasion and is the originator of the modern 'Caterer'. Chaucer Quotes as follows,- "Catour, he of a Gentylmans house,- a Dispencier" (1304 - 1400). Oddly an Ernow Catoir was one of the earliest Virginia settlers in 1621, his occupation was given as Wool Carder. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William le Chatur. which was dated 1220, The Kings Rolls of Bedford. during the reign of King Henry III, The Frenchman, 1216 - 1272. 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.