I have often wondered how it is that quite a few Catley names have got
changed to Cattley over the past 200 years or so and have thought it odd
that "a clerical error" should result in the inclusion of an extra T as it
does not make sense to me.
On the other hand, nor can I understand why a literate family would
necessarily wish to make such an alteration themselves?
However, possibly you have inadvertently hit on an answer Liz?
It is quite within the bounds of possibility that Catley could be misread as
Cattey and then a second clerical type, knowing that the name has a phonetic
L pronunciation in it, adds this letter to "get the sound correct" hence
Cattley.
The only other explanation I can think of is via The Bishops Transcripts for
the Gilbertine Priory of Catley built circa 1143.
If you study them you will note that the left hand page is printed in its
original Latin form whilst on the right, is the English translation. In
most cases the Latin name is spelt as Catthley and the English translation
as Catley. I do not know when the Transcripts were first published from the
original vellum but at a guess I would say in the early 1800's and so maybe
some literate Latin reading Catleys at that time, decided to take on the
Latin form of spelling but drop the H?
As most already know, the name Cat(t)ley is supposedly taken from the Old
English meaning for Wild Cat Wood. Presumably old English pre dates Latin as
a mother tongue but is there written evidence? How is the meaning wild cat
wood deduced?
Did the Monks at the Priory who wrote up the Transcripts thus "Latinise" an
old English place name?
Has anyone access to learned Professors of early English Language? Can any
more information be gained that would maybe take us further foward into
understanding the origins of the name?
Any thoughts anybody?
Regards Tim.
----- Original Message -----
From: liz cordingley <lizcordingley(a)blueyonder.co.uk>
To: <CATLEY-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2005 10:02 AM
Subject: [CAT...] Ernest Catley
Hi All,
I have just come back from Wales after spending a couple of pleasant days
there. I
discovered a couple of graves and some interesting info with
regards to Ernest Catley that went there for work after leaving Lambeth.
He went to work in the mines and met Mary Jane Williams. They married
and
had 6 children. Mary died shortly after giving birth to Gwendoline E Catley
in 1922. When I contacted the council to find where exactly she was buried
they gave me the plot number and burial date plus her address. Every thing
fitted into place until they told me she was a widow. Ernest had died whilst
she was pregnant. I couldnt find a death for any Ernest in Wales for this
time period, but have found one in Bridge Kent which fits the bill. I have
ordered his cert. After working in the mines he became a Tailor Journeyman
this is on marriage certs for his children.
Why would he have gone from Wales to Kent. Bridge is a small village
and I
have discovered that I had relatives from there on my Grandmothers side. It
was mainly a farming community. I wonder if he met my grandmother!!!
I had a look around Abergevenny for Catley's that came from
Somerset way
and couldn't find any.
It is worth contacting councils for information on burials or
cremations,
but helps if you have a rough idea of when the person died. Most are
all
computerised so it is easy for them to do lookups. It is also worth them
putting in variations as Charles Alexander was down as Cattey and the lady
was able to change this whilst I was still on the phone.
Talk soon
Liz
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