Chatháin

Chatháin is a surname of Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Catháin, meaning "descendant of Cathán." The personal name Cathán itself is derived from the word "cath," meaning "battle" or "warrior." This surname is particularly associated with the ancient kingdom of Uí Chatháin in modern-day County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The ruling sept of this territory bore the name Ó Catháin.

Over centuries, as Irish families migrated and anglicized their names, Ó Catháin became known as O'Kane, Kane, and Chatháin. While Kane is the most common anglicized form today, Chatháin represents a more direct transliteration or preservation of the original Gaelic spelling. Individuals with the Chatháin surname are found primarily in Ireland, particularly in Ulster, but also in diaspora communities around the world due to emigration. The historical significance of the name is tied to the chieftaincy and territories held by the Ó Catháin family in medieval Ireland. Genealogical research often traces lineages back to this specific region and clan.