Surname Chater - Meaning and Origin

Chater: What does the surname Chater mean?

The last name Chater is of English origin. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word “ceaster” which means “a fortified place”. It would have been taken as a surname by someone who was associated with a fortified location, such as a castle or walled town. It could also have been used as an occupational name for someone who worked at a fortified place in some capacity.

Over the centuries, the surname has evolved, with numerous spellings being used including Chater, Chepter, Cheater, Chetter, Chatter, and Chittenden. It is found mainly in England, but also in Ireland, Canada, and the United States.

In England, records of the name go back to the 12th century with Robert filius Cheater in 1241. In the United States, the earliest records of the name appear in Massachusetts with Thomas Chater, who arrived there in 1635. From then, the surname spread across the United States, being found mainly in the New England, New York, and the Midwest states.

The common characteristics associated with those who share the Chater surname are that of strong determination and leadership, along with being creative and independent. They possess great tenacity of purpose and often have the ability to size up a situation quickly. Additionally, the Chater family is known for its sense of community, loyalty, and camaraderie.

Chater: Where does the name Chater come from?

The last name Chater is found primarily in the United Kingdom, but there are also some small pockets of it around the world. The UK has the highest concentration of people carrying the name with the most populous locations being London, Surrey, and Kent.

The name is believed to have derived from the Olde English word chater meaning either "stony" or "rocky". Interestingly, the name was spelled Catteur originally and was adopted in the 11th Century by the Normans when they invaded England.

Outside of the UK, the last name Chater is mostly found in English-speaking countries like Australia, the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. It is also common to find it in countries with a French and Belgian influence such as France, Belgium, and Switzerland. The name is also fairly widespread in eastern European countries such as Ukraine, Moldova, Poland, and Romania.

Given the spread of the name Chater worldwide it's highly likely that many people with this name will be able to trace their ancestry back to the British Isles and particularly England.

The name Chater remains relatively uncommon but it is still recognizable in many parts of the world, perhaps due to their shared heritage with British Isles. Those that carry the name are proud of their family history and have placed a strong value on keeping it alive.

Variations of the surname Chater

The surname Chater is of English origin. Variants of this name include Cheadle, Chatter, Chatte, Chatterley, Chadderton, Chaderton and Chaterly.

Chater is a variant of Cheadle, which is derived from the Old English words “ceodel” or “chedel” which mean cottage. It is thought that the original bearers of the name were likely to have been people who lived in cottages. Alternatively, Chater could be an occupational surname, deriving from the Old French word “chatellier”, also meaning cottage or home.

The spelling of this surname has developed over time. Various spellings of Chater / Cheadle can be found in different historical documents, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273 and the poll tax returns of 1379. These records suggest that Chater is a spelling of Cheadle, but also appear to include some variations that may have developed, including Chatter, Chatte, Chatterley, Chadderton, Chaderton and Chaterly.

The surname Chater is still common today, with records showing that people bearing the name are scattered around the world. Furthermore, variants of the surname can be found in regions of the United Kingdom, such as Devon, Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Famous people with the name Chater

• Monty Chater: Monty Chater is a British TV and radio presenter, most notable for being a BBC Children in Need presenter and co-hosting the 'Lex and Monty' morning show on BBC Radio Kent.
• Sidney Chater: Sidney Chater was a British track and field athlete who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. He finished 7th in the 800 meters event.
• William Chater: William Chater was an English songwriter in the 19th century who composed works such as "Day and Night" and "The Joys of Spring".
• John Chater: John Chater was the former CEO of the British Toy Retailer, The Entertainer. He presided over the company’s launch on the London Stock Exchange in 2015.
• Jonathan Chater: Jonathan Chater was a British marine biologist and early proponent of marine conservation. He is best known for his work on the ecology and conservation of coral reefs and the sea bed.
• Sir Richard Chater: Sir Richard Chater was a British judge and Navy officer who served as a Lord Justice of Appeal and a High Court Judge. He also rendered public services such as helping to plan the country’s first Radio Nautical Almanac.
• Lorna Chater: Lorna Chater is a former British Paralympic athlete who predominantly competed in wheelchair racing events, specialising in the 400m, 800m and long jump.
• Henry Chater: Henry Chater was a British Army officer who served in the Second Boer War and in World War I. He won the Distinguished Service Order for his services during the Battle of the Somme.
• Daisy Chater: Daisy Chater is a British singer and songwriter who is best known for her single “Believer”, which was a top-ten hit in the UK in 2018.
• Dion Chater: Dion Chater is an English musician and songwriter who rose to fame as part of the band, the Bluetones, in the late 1990’s. He continued to record and tour as a solo artist until 2019.

Other surnames

Chaters