Cathain
/ˈkɑːhən/noun
Cathain is an Irish surname, commonly an anglicized form related to Ó Catháin.
Did you know?The surname is associated with Ó Catháin, meaning “descendant of Cathán,” while Cathán is formed from Irish cath, “battle,” with a diminutive ending.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Celtic
Proto-Celtic
*katus
“Battle or combat; a reconstructed Celtic ancestor.”
Old Irish
Old Irish
cath
“Battle, combat, or warfare.”
Medieval Irish
Irish
Cathán
“Little battle, formed from cath with a diminutive suffix.”
Medieval Irish
Irish
Ó Catháin
“Descendant of Cathán.”
Modern period
English/Irish
Cathain
“A surname spelling associated with the Ó Catháin family name.”