Surname Chattan - Meaning and Origin

Chattan: What does the surname Chattan mean?

The last name Chattan is derived from the Gaelic term “Catan” which means “gathering” or “union.” This surname is believed to have originated either from Scotland or Ireland. Historically, members of the Chattan clan in Scotland were part of a larger clan known as Clan Chattan and were mainly located in the Central Highlands of Scotland. The Clan Chattan was made up of various septs including the MacIntoshes, Mackintoshes and many smaller clans.

The first recorded instance of the Chattan name dates back to 13th century Scotland when Donald, son of Ferquhard, Chief of Clan Chattan, signed a bond with King Robert Bruce in 1306. Chattan is a very old and respected name throughout the nation and is linked to influential individuals such as the Macpherson of Cluny, Shaw of Rothiemurchus and MacGillivray of Dunmaglass.

Today, the Chattan name is still found throughout Scotland and Ireland, as well as other parts of the world such as Canada, Australia, and the United States. It is believed that the Chattan family was associated with ancient royalty, having held positions of power and influence throughout the centuries. This strong sense of identity is something that many members of the Chattan family continue to share.

Chattan: Where does the name Chattan come from?

The Chattan surname is most common in Scotland today, where the family name has its roots. The Clan Chattan Confederation dates back to the 13th century, and was one of the most influential families in Scotland for centuries. Today Clan Chattan is made up of around 30 different clans and families, each with its own tartan and distinctive coat of arms.

The Clan Chattan Confederation has been in existence for hundreds of years, so it is not surprising that the surname Chattan can be found to be very common in Scotland. It is also Found in areas of Northern Ireland, as well as parts of England and Wales, but its highest concentrations and oldest continuous presence are in Scotland.

The Chattan surname is most prevalent in the highlands of Scotland, especially in the Highlands and Islands, as well as parts of Aberdeenshire. In the Outer Hebrides, the Clan Chattan Confederation is the largest clan confederation on the islands.

In addition to the British Isles, the Chattan surname can also be found in other countries around the world, such as Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand, thanks to distant Scots emigrating to other shores. With the close ties that clans have to Scotland, there is no doubt that the Chattan surname will continue to be a common one around the world.

Variations of the surname Chattan

The Chattan surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variants are Chattanach, Chathan, Cathain, Cattan, Cattane, Chatane, Chottan, and Chotan.

Variants of Chattan

Chattanach is one of the most popular variants of the Chattan surname. In Scotland, this spelling was used to refer to those belonging to the ancient Celtic Clan Chattan Confederation. The Chattanach surname is most commonly found in Scotland, Ireland, and Northern England.

Chathan is another variant of Chattan, which is primarily used in Ireland. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word ‘cath’, which translates to 'battle'.

Cathain is a variant of Chattan spelling primarily used in Scotland.

Spelling Variants

The Chattan surname is also known by various spelling variants like Cattan, Cattane, Chatane, Chottan, and Chotan.

Surnames of the Same Origin

Another variant of the Chattan surname is the Gunn Clan, which is a Norse Clan that descended from Gunnbjorn Ulfssen in the 10th century. The Gunn Clan is primarily found in the counties of Caithness and Sutherland located in Scotland.

The MacPherson Clan is also related to the Chattan surname. It is believed that the Clan Chattan and MacPherson Clan have the same common ancestor. The MacPherson surname is most commonly found in Scotland.

The MacGillivray Clan is also a variant of the Chattan surname. The MacGillivray is thought to be descended from a 14th century Scottish ruler, Gillivray Mor. Like the other variants, the MacGillivray surname is most commonly found in Scotland.

Ultimately, the Chattan surname has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, which is a testament to its rich and diverse history.

Famous people with the name Chattan

• Alexander Chattan (17th century cleric)
• Catriona Chattan (19th century painter/illustrator)
• Colin Chattan (Highland historian)
• Chris Chattan (Scottish rugby union coach)
• Gary Chattan (Scottish actor)
• Katherine Chattan (New York-based art director)
• Mark Chattan (19th century psychoanalyst)
• Mary Chattan (Scottish singer)
• Natalia Chattan (18th century philanthropist)
• Patrick Chattan (commander in the American Revolutionary War)
• Robert Douglas Chattan (Scottish poet)
• Roderick Chattan (18th century officer in the British Army)
• Sarah Chattan (Scottish actor/producer)
• Stuart Chattan (Scottish poet)
• William Chattan (Scottish poet/playwright)
• Tom Chattan (American actor)
• Willy Chattan (American philanthropist)
• Tomi Chattan (20th century firefighter)
• S. R. Chattan (20th century author)
• Albert Chattan (19th century French doctor/scholar)

Other surnames

ChattenauChattertonChatton