SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH "C"

[Caddell], [Cadogan], [Cadwalader], [Cain], [Cairns], [Caldwell], [Calender],[Callaghan], [Calvert], [Cameron], [Campbell], [Cant], [Cantrell], [Cantwell], [Capell], [Car], [Carberry], [Carey], [Carlin], [Carlisle], [Carpenter], [Carr], [Carrol], [Carruthers], [Carson], [Carswell], [Carter], [Cartwright], [Carver], [Case], [Casey], [Cassidy], [Catchpole], [Challoner], [Chamberlain], [Chandler], [Chaplain], [Chapman], [Charles], [Charlton], [Chase], [Chatham], [Cheeseman], [Cherry], [Churchill], [Clark], [Cleary], [Clegg], [Clemence], [Clifford], [Clifton], [Clinton], [Clough], [Clover], [Clwyd], [Cobb], [Cochran], [Coghlan], [Coker], [Cole], [Coleman], [Colhoun], [Collier], [Collins], [Combe], [Compton], [Connolly], [Constable], [Conway], [Cook], [Coombes], [Cooney], [Cooper], [Copeland], [Corcoran], [Cornwell], [Cox], [Craddock], [Craig], [Crane], [Crawford], [Crews], [Crocker], [Croft], [Cromwell], [Cropper], [Cross], [Crowther], [Cruickshank], [Cryer], [Cullen], [Cummins], [Cunningham], [Curran], [Curry], [Custer], [Cutler], [Cutter] 

CADDELL - Thought to derive from the word meaning "spirit of the battle leader" and strongly associated with the Welsh first name Cadwaladr.

CADOGAN - Modern spelling of an old Welsh name Cadwgan, which is thought to be Irish in origin.

CADWALADER - Thought to derive from the Welsh first name Cadwaladr or "Battle Leader". A man called "Cadwalla" was recorded from around 633AD.

CAIN - It's been suggested that the name comes from the early English word "Cane" describing a reed or long heavy grass which attached itself to a tall willowy man. Alternatively, the name might just as easily have its roots with the name of the Biblical character Cain (as in Cain and Abel) 

CAIRNS - Thought to be a particularly Welsh and Scottish surname relating to a pile of stones which were used as a local landmark.

CALDWELL - The "well" suffix would appear to indicate the names derivation from the site of a natural or manmade water source. Additionally, the surname "Calder" is thought to denote an origin relating to a "brook" or "stream", which reinforces the association with water.

CALENDER - Alternatively spelled as CALLENDER, its origins may lie in the occupational title for a clerk or notary who listed documents and maintained records.

CALLAGHAN - Typically derived from an Irish/Gaelic source, the modern day name is thought to originate from the name "Ceallachain" which meant "bright headed".

CALVERT - The name is thought to originate from individuals involved with caring for and herding cattle.

CAMERON - Generally associated with Scotland and thought to originate from the word "Camshron" which meant "crooked nose".

CAMPBELL - Generally associated with Scotland and thought to originate from the word "Caimbeul" which meant "crooked mouth"

CANT - Thought to relate to and be associated with the colour "White". However, the prefix "Cant" is also commonly associated with "chanting" or "singing" religious hymns or psalms and is related to a Chantry within a religious building

CANTRELL - The prefix "Cant" is also commonly associated with "chanting" or the "singing" of religious hymns or psalms and is related to a Chantry within a religious house.

CANTWELL - The prefix "Cant" is also commonly associated with "chanting" or the "singing" of religious hymns or psalms and is related to the Chantry within a religious house.

CAPELL - Possibly an occupational term which was related to the Hat and cap making industry. The surname CAPPER is thought to have similar origins.

CAR - Thought to have originated from the Cornish word meaning "camp" and may be a possible origin for certain modern family names carrying this 3 letter prefix. Another early English word "Ker" is thought to denote a "Fort" and has probably been altered over time from "Ker" to "Car".

CARBERRY - One suggested source for the family name is the Scottish settlement which was originally called "Crebarrin", which developed into its modern form and attached itself to one or more individuals who lived there

CAREY - Possibly derived from "of the castle", as shown above. However, a more likely source for the name is from the Gaelic word "Clar" which is thought to describe something "dark".

CARLIN - The modern day family name is speculated to have derived from both the female first name Caroline and the male first name Charles. A variant includes Carline.

CARLISLE - The family name no doubt originates from the settlement of that name in Cumbria, which has existed in Britain from before Roman times. It was fairly common for people's home towns to be attached to them as individuals during the Anglo Saxon period.

CARPENTER - A manufacturer of wooden components in a trade or craft that can possibly trace its origins back to the very dawn of civilisation.  

CARR - The name is said to originate from the Gaelic word for "low, marshy ground", which attached itself to individuals who lived at or near that location. The Norse word "Kjarr" is thought to have a similar meaning and might be a regional source for the modern name.

CARROL - From an Irish/Gaelic source the modern family name is thought to originate from the first name "Cearbhaill" which meant a "valiant warrior".

CARRUTHERS - The modern surname is thought to have existed as a place name in Scotland since the 14th century and in its original form was spelled "Carrothres". Later it was spelled as "Caer Ruthes", denoting a "fort". Its adoption as a family name was undoubtedly brought about, by its attachment to residents of the settlement.

CARSON - Possibly derived from the son or ancestor of an individual who lived on low, marshy ground which attached itself to him, giving him the name "Car" or "Carr".

CARSWELL - The "well" suffix would appear to indicate the names derivation from the site of a natural or manmade water source

CARTER - No doubt linked to the associated name Carrier, this surname, as with many others reflects a trade or profession which has been undertaken for hundreds of years and has inevitably become attached to the particular people who were employed in such work.

CARTWRIGHT - A manufacturer of carts. The suffix "Wright" would have originally been spelled "Wryte"

CARVER - An associated wood or stone worker who effectively sculpted the materials into given shapes or figures and is generally a highly skilled artisan. Once again the surname has attached itself to those individuals who were employed within the trade

CASE - The name is thought to originate from those who were involved in the manufacturer of cases and chests, possibly derived from the French word "Casse" meaning case, chest or container.

CASEY - Commonly regarded as an Irish family name, originating from the Gaelic first name "Cathasaigh" which meant "vigilant". This is just as likely to be the root for the surname CASE, which is shown above.

CASSIDY - Another Irish family name which is said to originate from the Gaelic name "Calside" which is thought to mean "curly haired" and which is itself derived from the word "Cas".

CATCHPOLE - Thought to have been the deputy or assistant of a Town Sheriff, possibly a Bailiff, the name is an occupational title which has attached itself to those employed in that role.

CHALLONER - The name is thought to identify the makers or sellers of "Shaloon" or "Chalune" a specific material within the Cloth industries and was an occupational term which later attached itself to particular individuals within the wider trade. Alternatively, the name might simply originate from the medieval word "Chaloun" which was said to describe a "blanket".

CHAMBERLAIN - Originally, the name was thought to identify the person who was in charge of the private living chambers of wealthy employers, noblemen or monarchs, but later became a much more important and influential office within these households or royal courts.

CHAMBERS - This could either be a contraction of the word Chamberlain, which is a fairly common surname in its own right and is thought to represent a royal office within a court. Alternatively, the name just might originate in the employment of certain individuals within a household, rather like the modern day Chambermaid.

CHANDLER - Thought to represent one of the many provisioning trades which have existed since early medieval times (particularly in relation to shipping) the name of the trade has simply attached itself to the individual worker. In earlier times, it was thought that Chandler identified someone who worked in producing wax artefacts and offerings.

CHAPLAIN - Commonly regarded as a religious title, post or office, it has been suggested that the semi secular nature of the position might well account for its later adoption as an wholly accepted and identifiable surname. Variations are said to include the famous "Little Tramp" Charlie Chaplin  

CHAPMAN - Said to be an early English title for a merchant or trader and derived from the Old English word "Ceapmann".

CHARLES - Thought to originate from the Latin name "Carolus" or from the Old English word "Ceorl" which means "man". A French monarch, was recorded as Charles "King of the Franks" in 855AD.

CHARLTON - The surname possibly derives from "Charles' homestead", with the "ton" suffix denoting the Anglo Saxon word for a remote defended settlement.

CHASE - Derived from the Old French word "Chaceur" which meant "hunter", the name is thought to have attached itself to someone employed within that role.

CHATHAM - Said to derive from the French word "Ceto" meaning "Forest" or "Wood" and the Anglo Saxon word "Ham" denoting a small settlement. Consequently, the man who originated from this "small settlement in the forest or woods" found his home location attached itself to him.

CHEESEMAN - An occupational name which has attached itself to an individual who was employed in the manufacture and or selling of cheeses.

CHERRY - The family name is thought to derive from an early individuals ownership of Cherry trees and groves or perhaps his profession as a seller of Cherries.

CHURCHILL - This famous English surname is thought to derive from the Anglo Saxon words "Cyric" and "Hyll" meaning "Church" and "Hill" respectively and identified an individual with a specific geographical location which later associated itself with a man who was born there

CHURL - Came to Britain with the forces of William the Conqueror

CLARK - Thought to derive from the office of Clerk which was an official title during the medieval period, particularly within both royal courts and civic administrations. The original source is probably the French word "Clerc" which meant "Scholar"

CLEARY - Thought to originate from the early word "cleireach" meaning cleric, clerk or scholar. As with a large number of Gaelic surnames it is often prefixed with Mac, denoting relationships between fathers and son.

CLEGG - Possibly a variation of the historic surname Legh, which could be derived from the Norman surname Leigh which came to Britain with the forces of William the Conqueror. However, there is said to be a Norse word "Kleggi" meaning "horse fly" which might be the root for the later family name. 

CLEMENCE - Possibly derived from the Christian forename Clement. A pope called Clement was recorded to have died sometime around 92AD.

CLIFFORD - A locative name which has become associated with and attached to a place where a "cliff" and a "ford" or river crossing were notable features. Those who lived at or near the place found the location being attached to them as individuals.

CLIFTON - Thought to originate from the Anglo Saxon words "Clif" and "Tun" or "Ton" meaning a "Steep slope" and a "Protected enclosure" respectively, the description of a particular geographical location later attached itself to someone who was born there.

CLINTON - Literally thought to mean "summit settlement" this is a locative family name, which has become associated with and attached to people from a specific geographical location.

CLOUGH - The family name may have its foundation in the Scandinavian word "Klufa" which was thought to mean "to cleave" and generally described a hollow or depression in a hillside, a given place which attached itself to those that lived there.

CLOVER - This particular name is thought to have originated within the "Butchery" or "Flesh" trades which became commonplace during the Medieval period and possibly attached itself to a man who was employed in the slaughtering or butchering of animals.

CLWYD - This name is thought to originate from the Clwyd region of North Wales.

COBB - Possibly a contraction of the Biblical forename "Jacob" or may have an association with the trade of Cobbler.

COCHRAN - Possibly originating with the Welsh word "Coch" which means red, although the modern surname has a particularly strong association with Scotland.

COGHLAN - A generally Irish family name which is derived from the Gaelic name "Cochlain" which means "caped" or hooded".

COKER - The early Gaelic word "Cukar" is thought to have meant "Crooked" and may have been the origin for the later family name. 

COLE - This particular surname is thought to be a contraction of the first name Nicholas, but it has also been suggested that it might be a derivation of the old English word "Col" which meant coal. In Old English, the word "Col" or "Cole" was also used to describe something or someone that was "dark" or "black".

COLEMAN - Assuming an association with the Old English word "Col" meaning "Coal", the surname might well identify an individual mining or supplying the fuel or those employed in producing Charcoal.

COLHOUN - A peculiarly Irish family name which is thought to derive from the Gaelic words "Cuil" meaning crooked and "Cumhann" meaning narrow.

COLLIER - A family name closely associated with coal production and probably deriving from Colliery. Other variants may include Colley

COLLINS - Thought to be a derivative of the early Christian first name Nicholas, which has been shortened over time. As an Irish family name, the source for the modern day version is said to be the Gaelic name "Coileain" which signified a "young person or warrior".

COMBE - Generally employed as a suffix, the Old English word "combe" is thought to denote a "small valley" and has become associated with a large number of modern day family names eg Seycombe, Whitcombe, etc. Variants include Combs.

COMPTON - The modern day surname is thought to originate with the Anglo Saxon words "Cumb" meaning a short valley and "Tun" denoting a protected enclosure. This geographical place name, no doubt attached itself to residents of and travellers from that specific location

CONNOLLY - A peculiarly Irish family name which is thought to be derived from the Gaelic first name "Conghalle" which meant "valiant".

CONSTABLE - The Constable was thought to be a formally appointed post originating from the Norman period and commonly associated with each of the many castles which were built by the Conqueror to secure his English lands and holdings. Typically, the Constable's role would have been to maintain law and order in the civilian settlements and to take charge of prisoners being held for and on behalf of the Crown, particularly those within the castle's precincts. The name comes from the Latin word "Stabuli", the "officer of the stable" and later developed to "Cunestable" in French, which was the form brought to England with the Normans.

CONWAY - This name is thought to originate from the River Conwy in North Wales and the site of the Castle built by Edward I in order to subjugate the native peoples of North Wales

COOK - There are 2 entirely different possibilities for the origins of this modern surname. The first suggestion is that the name derives from the Le Coq or Cocus family which arrived in England with the military forces of William the Conqueror in the 11th Century. The second more obvious solution is that the name simply derives from individuals who worked within the kitchens and produced "cooked" meats, whose trade became attached to them personally.

COOMBES - Thought to be a variation of the Anglo Saxon word "Cumb" denoting a short, straight valley and which no doubt attached itself to residents of and travellers from that particular settlement or area.

COONEY - This Irish family name is thought to have its foundations in the Gaelic word "Cuana", which was thought to mean "handsome".

COOPER - Otherwise and formally known as a Barrel maker, these particular tradesmen are thought to have existed for hundreds of years, with the name becoming associated with those involved with the production of kegs and barrels.

COPELAND - The expression or term "cope land" was thought to indicate land which had been legally purchased and a title which no doubt attached itself to the man who lived there.

CORCORAN - An Irish family name which is said to originate from "Corcair", the Gaelic word for purple.

CORNWELL - Possibly originating from the earliest form for Cornwall, with the suffix "well" relating to the Anglo Saxon word "Wealas" meaning stranger, a term equally applied to the native Welsh people's. Alternatively, the family name might just as easily relate to or originate from a connection to the cereal crop and a water source.

COTTER - The Old English word "Cot", which can be used equally as well, as a prefix or suffix, is said to denote a "hut" or "house". eg: Cottram, Walcot. A "cotter" or "cotier" was said to denote a "homesteader" or small scale "farmer" who typically lived in a small cottage and farmed a small area of land.

COX - Possibly a contracted form of the nautical post of Coxswain who would have been employed within the shipping industry. However, it has been suggested that the name is a contraction of the word "Cock" which indicated a strutting young man and used as a common name suffix, such as Hancock, Alcock, etc.

CRADDOCK - Thought to be derived from the  Welsh names "Caradog" or "Caradoc" meaning "beloved".

CRAIG - The family name is thought to originate from the Gaelic word describing a "crag" or a "rocky place" and which has become associated with the people who lived there. Commonly used as a first name.

CRANE - The early English word "Cranuc" denoting a crane, is thought to be the likely origins for the modern day family name.

CRAWFORD - Originating from "Crawa" the medieval word for "crow" and "ford" indicating a shallow river crossing, giving a literal meaning of "crows crossing" and a place name which became associated with the people who lived there.

CREWE - Although commonly associated with the town of Crewe in Cheshire, it is more probable that the family name derived from the Welsh word "Crui" meaning a weir or barrier which was used to catch salmon on the River Dee.

CROCKER - The name is said to have its foundation in the occupational title for a POTTER who made household utilitarian items ie: crockery.

CROFT - Although generally associated with Scotland, the word "croft" is thought to have English origins and describes an area of pasture which is close to a "crofters" house.

CROMWELL - The "well" suffix would appear to indicate the names derivation from the site of a natural or manmade water source.

CROPPER - This family name possibly derives from an occupational title for a seasonal worker who "picked" or "harvested" crops, such as fruits, vegetables or cereals. The common US title of a "share cropper" possibly reflects a similar English description of an agricultural worker, but one which attached itself to one or more of the individuals employed in that industry.

CROSS - Thought to derive from the Norse word "Kross" which identified a known stone cross, the location of which attached itself to those who lived nearby. Alternatively, the name might well have associated itself who was extremely religious and "of the cross" so to speak. The surname CROUCH is thought to be another derivation of this family name.

CROWTHER - There are 2 possible sources for this particular surname. The first is the Welsh name "Crythor" which means "player of the crwth" (an early form of fiddle). The second possible origin is the the Old English word "crouthes" or "croude".

CRUICKSHANK -As with associated names such as SHANKLY, the word "shank" refers to a persons legs and in this particular case, the "Cruick" is thought to describe something which is "crooked" or "bent", giving a literal meaning of "Crooked Legs", a descriptive term for a person.

CRYER - Thought to originate from the Public Office of Town Crier who publicly announced news and proclamations to the local population at the centre of the settlement. Thought to have announced his presence by the ringing of a bell and shouting "Oyez, Oyez!!"

CULLEN - Typically regarded as an Irish family name, it is thought to originate from "Cuilinn" a Gaelic word/name thought to be a another name or word for the "Holly" plant.

CUMMINS - A family name which is said to have its foundations with the Breton name "Cuimin" which is thought to mean "small crooked one". Variations may include Cummings.

CUNNINGHAM - One form of the name is thought to derive from the Gaelic name "Conn" meaning "leader", with the "ham" suffix perhaps reflecting later Anglo Saxon influences. Alternatively, the name might derive from the Gaelic word "Cuinneag" denoting a "milk pail" or "Coney" meaning "rabbit".

CURRAN - Generally an Irish family name which is thought to originate from the Gaelic name "Corraidhin" which was said to mean "little spear".

CURRY - A tradesman called a "Currier" was known to have been employed within the leather working industry from the earliest time, curing or tanning hides and might be an origin for the later family name, being derived from an occupational title.

CUSTER - An occupational title which is said to derive from the Old French word "Coustier" which identified a maker of feather beds and cushions.

CUTLER - A skilled worker who manufactured and sharpened knives within the metalworking industries, they were specifically employed to produce eating utensils, which no doubt lends itself to the modern word Cutlery. The name originates from an occupational title.

CUTTER - As with the Carvers, these workers might be employed in cutting either stone or wood and were generally thought to have simply provided the basic materials for their fellow craftsmen to use. Early records suggest that these men were paid only for the amount of wood or stone that they were able to physically supply and deliver to their clients, who was often wealthy merchants, religious houses or the kings agents.

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