indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Type Surname (from location & from nickname)
Other Forms FormsVan Cats, Catts, Kats, Kaats, Catz, Van Catz, Van Kats, Van Cott, Van Cotts, Cotts, Cott, De Caters, Decatur, Kater, Cater, Decater, Decator, De Kater, De Cater, De Katers, Katers, Decature, De Catur, Cates, Kates, Van Cates, Caters, Cots, Cot, Kots, Kot, Kót, Katts, Catt, Katt, Cat, Kat, Katz, Kotts, Kott, Kotte, Kaatz, Kattz, Koth, Koeth, Köth, Kothe, Katzer, Kotzur, Kutzer, Katsev, Katseva
Meaning & History
Habitational name for a person from the village of Kats in Zeeland, Holland, or a nickname for someone who in some way resembled a cat, derived from Middle Dutch catte literally meaning "cat". It can also be a Jewish variant of Katz. A famous bearer was the Dutch poet and politician Jacob Cats (1577-1660), known for his emblem books.