Earl Cathcart facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Earl Cathcart Chief of Clan Cathcart
Blazon Arms: Azure, three Crosses-Crosslet fitchée, issuing from three Crescents Argent. Crest: A dexter Hand couped above the wrist and erect proper, grasping a Crescent Argent. Supporters: On either side a Parrot, wings inverted proper.
Creation date	16 July 1814
Monarch	The Prince Regent (acting on behalf of his father King George III)
Peerage	Peerage of the United Kingdom
First holder	William Cathcart, 1st Earl Cathcart
Present holder	Charles Cathcart, 7th Earl Cathcart
Heir apparent	Alan Cathcart, Lord Greenock
Subsidiary titles	Viscount Cathcart Lord Cathcart Baron Greenock
Status	Extant
Motto	I HOPE TO SPEED

A young William Cathcart,
1st Earl Cathcart

The tombstone of Colonel Charles Cathcart, ambassador to China, who died on his ship and was buried at a Dutch outpost in the Sunda Strait.

Earl Cathcart is a special title given to a person in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. A "peerage" means a system of titles like Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. People with these titles are called "peers."

The Cathcart family has a long history. They are also the chiefs of Clan Cathcart, a Scottish clan. This article tells you about the people who have held the title of Earl Cathcart and their family's journey through history.

History of the Cathcart Family

The title of Earl Cathcart was created in 1814. It was first given to a brave soldier and diplomat named William Cathcart. A "diplomat" is someone who represents their country in other nations.

Early Lords Cathcart

The Cathcart family's story began much earlier. Sir Alan Cathcart was given the title of Lord Cathcart in Scotland between 1447 and 1460. This was a title in the Peerage of Scotland. He was an important person. He served as the "Warden of the West Marches," which meant he protected the border with England. He was also the "Master of the Artillery," in charge of cannons and weapons.

His great-great-grandson, the third Lord Cathcart, sadly died in a battle called the Battle of Pinkie in 1547. His father had also died in another big battle, the Battle of Flodden, in 1513.

The fourth Lord Cathcart, Alan Cathcart, fought in the Battle of Langside in 1568. He also worked for King James VI as his "Master of the Household." This was a key role in the royal palace.

Soldiers and Diplomats

The eighth Lord Cathcart, Charles Cathcart, was a soldier. He became a major-general in the army. He also represented Scotland in the House of Lords from 1734 to 1740. The House of Lords is part of the UK Parliament. In 1740, Lord Cathcart was made the commander of British forces in America. However, he passed away during the journey and was buried on the island of Dominica.

His son, the ninth Lord Cathcart, Charles Schaw Cathcart, continued the family's tradition of service. He was a lieutenant-general in the army. He also served as the British Ambassador to Russia. This meant he was Britain's top representative in Russia. He was a Scottish Representative Peer in the House of Lords from 1752 to 1776.

The First Earl Cathcart

The tenth Lord Cathcart, William Schaw Cathcart, was a very important military leader and diplomat. He became a general in the army. Like his father, he also served as the British Ambassador to Russia. From 1788 to 1843, he was a Scottish Representative Peer in the House of Lords.

In 1807, he received new titles: Baron Greenock and Viscount Cathcart. Then, in 1814, he was made Earl Cathcart. These new titles were part of the Peerage of the United Kingdom.

Later Earls Cathcart

His second son, Charles Murray Cathcart, became the second Earl. He was also a general in the army. He served as the Governor General of Canada from 1846 to 1847. The Governor General is the King's representative in Canada.

After him, his son, Alan Frederick Cathcart, became the third Earl. He was a "Deputy Lieutenant" for a part of Yorkshire. He also led the Royal Agricultural Society of England, which helps with farming.

The fourth Earl, Alan Cathcart, was also a Deputy Lieutenant. He never married. His younger brother, George Cathcart, became the fifth Earl.

The sixth Earl, Alan Cathcart, was a major-general in the army. He served as a "Deputy Speaker" in the House of Lords from 1976 to 1989. This means he helped lead discussions in Parliament.

Today, the title is held by Charles Alan Andrew Cathcart, the seventh Earl. He became Earl in 1999. He is one of the ninety elected hereditary peers who still have a seat in the House of Lords. He sits with the Conservative group. He is also the chief of Clan Cathcart.

Other Notable Family Members

Many other Cathcart family members have been important.

• The Hon. Sir George Cathcart, a son of the first Earl, was a general in the army.
• The Hon. Charles Cathcart, a younger son of the ninth Lord, was a colonel in the British Army. He was also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Clackmannanshire.
• The Hon. Louisa Cathcart, a daughter of the ninth Lord, married David Murray. She later inherited the title of Countess of Mansfield.

The family's main home is Gateley Hall, which is near Fakenham in Norfolk, England.

Lords Cathcart (1460)

• Alan Cathcart, 1st Lord Cathcart (died 1497)
  • Alan Cathcart, Master of Cathcart (died before 1497)
• John Cathcart, 2nd Lord Cathcart (died 1535)
  • Alan Cathcart, Master of Cathcart (died 1513)
• Alan Cathcart, 3rd Lord Cathcart (died 1547)
• Alan Cathcart, 4th Lord Cathcart (1537–1618)
  • Alan Cathcart, Master of Cathcart (1562–1602)
• Alan Cathcart, 5th Lord Cathcart (1600–1628)
• Alan Cathcart, 6th Lord Cathcart (1628–1709)
• Alan Cathcart, 7th Lord Cathcart (1648–1732)
  • Allan Cathcart (died 1699)
• Charles Cathcart, 8th Lord Cathcart (1686–1740)
  • George Alan Cathcart (born 1719)
  • John Cathcart (born 1719)
• Charles Schaw Cathcart, 9th Lord Cathcart (1721–1776)
• William Schaw Cathcart, 10th Lord Cathcart (1755–1843) (created Baron Greenock and Viscount Cathcart in 1807 and Earl Cathcart in 1814)

Earls Cathcart (1814)

• William Schaw Cathcart, 1st Earl Cathcart (1755–1843)
  • William Cathcart, Master of Cathcart (1782–1804)
• Charles Murray Cathcart, 2nd Earl Cathcart (1783–1859)
  • Hon. Charles Cathcart (1824–1825)
• Alan Frederick Cathcart, 3rd Earl Cathcart (1828–1905)
• Alan Cathcart, 4th Earl Cathcart (1856–1911)
• George Cathcart, 5th Earl Cathcart (1862–1927)
• Alan Cathcart, 6th Earl Cathcart (1919–1999)
• Charles Alan Andrew Cathcart, 7th Earl Cathcart (born 1952)

The heir apparent (the person who will inherit the title next) is the present Earl's son, Alan George Cathcart, Lord Greenock (born 1986).