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Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/FII.2ACIB/363.1.2.1
Message Board Post:
There are several ideas of the origin of the family name of Cato. I will give them from
the least likely in my mind to the most likely
1)- Some say it is of Pictish origin in Scotland, coming from the word Cattech which means
the Clan of the Cat. In Scotland the name is spelled Catto, also as Katoe.
2)- Some think that the name in England was spelled Cater and came from Caterer, a cook in
a manor house. In the records of this country the name has been spelled many ways. The
most common spelling is Cato, but it has been spelled Catoe, Cayto, Catour, Cator and
Cater.
3)- Many include I believe that the name comes from the Roman politicians Marcus Porcius
Cato ( 234-149 B.C.) who fought against Hannabal of Cartage in the Punic Wars, served as
Consul of Rome in 195 B.C. and Censor in 184 B. C. He adopted such severe policy in his
efforts to restore high morals that he was known as Cato, the Censor. His great grandson
Marcus Porcius Cato was a stoic philosopher who served as Quaester in 65B.C., helped
reform the Treasury and as a Tribune he supported Cicero against Cataline. In 54 B.C. he
became a Praetor and supported Pompey against Julius Caeser. It is thgought that the name
was brought to England during the 500 years that Rome occupied England.