Clan Cathcart

Clan Cathcart
Crest: A dexter hand couped above the wrist and erect Proper, grasping a crescent Argent
Motto	I hope to speed
Chief
Charles Alan Andrew Cathcart
the 7th Earl Cathcart
Seat	Gateley Hall
Historic seat	Cathcart Castle

Clan Cathcart is a Lowland Scottish clan.

The lands of Cathcart are named after the River Cart in Renfrewshire.Caeth-cart means the strait of Cart. Rainaldus de Kethcart appears to have been the progenitor of the family. In 1178 he was witness to a charter of the king's steward to Paisley Abbey. His son was William de Kethcart who was a witness to a charter in about 1200, exchanging the lands of Knoc near Walkinshaw with the Abbey of Paisley. In 1234 a charter of resignation of the lands of Culbeth to the Abbot of Paisley was sealed by Alan de Cathcart.

Alan de Cathcart's son, William de Cathcart, was one of the Scottish barons who submitted to Edward I of England and is listed on the Ragman Rolls of 1296. William was succeeded by Alan de Cathcart who was a staunch supporter of king Robert the Bruce in cause of Scottish independence. He followed the king's brother, Edward Bruce and was among a party of just fifty knights who surprised a much superior English force under Lord St John in Galloway and routed them. Alan survived the Wars of Scottish Independence and is recorded in a deed making a gift to the Dominican Friars of Glasgow in 1336. In the deed he is designated as Dominus Ejusdem which is translated as of that Ilk. Alan was related to the Bruces through his wife who was the sister of Sir Duncan Wallace of Sundram, husband of Elanor Bruce, the Countess of Carrick.

Sir Alan de Cathcart obtained several estates in Carrick. He was raised to the peerage with the title Lord Cathcart in 1447. He also obtained lands in Ayrshire including the estate of Auchencruive which was the family seat until 1718. Alan became constable of the royal Dundonald Castle. In 1485 he was appointed as Master of the Artillery.