As described in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

(origin: Gaelic. Local) A fenny-wood, wet ground, from Cathar, soft, boggy ground; or the fortified place in a wood, from Cathair, Gaelic, a town, a fortified city, a guard, a sentinel.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.


Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.