Surname Rattery - Meaning and Origin

Rattery: What does the surname Rattery mean?

The surname Rattery is of Scottish origin, derived from the place name Rattray, located in the former county of Perthshire, now part of the council area of Perth and Kinross. The name Rattray itself is thought to come from the Scottish Gaelic "Raitearach", meaning "fort at the bogs". Over time and through generations, the name morphed into Rattery. Surnames based on geographical features or places were common in Scotland, as they were used to signify where a person was from or where they dwelled. Please note that the precise meaning of surnames can sometimes be speculative, due to changes in language and record keeping over time. It should also be kept in mind that the migration of people across regions and nations led to variations in spellings and meanings of such names.

Rattery: Where does the name Rattery come from?

The last name Rattery is a relatively rare surname, with its origin being thought to be from England. It may have derived from a place name, as there was a Rattery in Devonshire, England, dating back to 1242 A.D. It is thought that those with the name Rattery were from a well-off family, as this would have allowed for them to acquire a place name.

Today, there is a limited but growing presence of the Rattery surname, as genetic testing has brought many name origins to light. In the United Kingdom, the Rattery surname is most common in the counties of Devon and Hampshire. However, the availability of online genealogy records has spread the name further afield, and today the Rattery name can now be found mostly in countries of English heritage, such as Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

The nature of the last name Rattery can still be seen today, with many of those who carry the name achieving academic success, undertaking skilled professions, and leading positions in public service. As the name and its related families continue to spread across wider regions, this is likely to continue into the foreseeable future.

Variations of the surname Rattery

The surname Rattery can have several different spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. These include Ratter, Ratters, Ratterie, Ratterree, Rattrie, Rattee, Ratty, Rattey, Rattye, Rattee, Rathey, Rattay, Ratting, and Rattrie.

The surnames Ratters, Ratterree, and Rattrie are derived from an old French phrase, ratty, which literally means "as shrewd as a rat." As shrewd creatures, rats were often often thought of as clever and able to outsmart their predators, so this phrase was used to describe particularly intelligent or clever individuals.

The surnames Ratty, Rattey, Rattee, Rathey, and Rattay are thought to have originated from the Old English pre-7th century phrase rætti, meaning "general or all-round advice or aid." This phrase was often used to describe individuals who were generous with their help or offered sound counsel and advice.

The surname Rattery is thought to have originated from the Old English word ræte, which meant "at rest, settled in a place," so this likely denoted a family who traveled to a new settlement area and settled in for good.

Finally, the surname Ratting might have come from an old French phrase, ratisser, meaning "to search for rats". This phrase most likely denoted a family that was engaged in rat-catching. This phrase became especially popular during the Middle Ages, when ratcatching was an important profession.

Famous people with the name Rattery

• Jo Rattery: British Actress
• Warren Rattery: Welsh Pianist and Composer
• Dean Rattery: American Television Producer
• Dave Rattery: American Actor
• Paula Rattery: Spanish Makeup Artist
• William Rattery: English Film and Television Editor
• John Rattery: British Musician
• Elton Rattery: British Painter
• Piers Rattery: English Musician
• Cathy Rattery: British Television Host

Other surnames

Ratterree