I have always been interested in the origin of my family name. My surname has been the subject of great debate and many spelling errors. Should RATHERAM be ROTHERHAM as many people assume? Were my family originately from Yorkshire and the town of the same name? Or did our roots  originate in the rural villages of Warwickshire

I have been researching my family tree for over 5 years now and although I have answered some of the questions but I now have hundreds more!!!

The name and spelling of RATHERAM has been around since the before the 1600's and can be found in Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Middlesex, London, Yorkshire, and Ireland. It can be found in Yorkshire too but not until the 1700's

Spelling of the name sees many variations with the most common being RATHERAM, RATHERHAM, RATHERUM, RUTHRAM, ROTHERAM, ROTHERHAM, and even KATHERAM. Inevitably there are instances of crossovers with the spelling with a family being recorded as RATHERAM on one census and ROTHERAM on the next. This can make research very confusing.

There is a hamlet near Tanworth-In-Arden known as Rotherham's Oak with a Farm, Lane and Bridge named after the family. BUT.... Guess what... The title deeds for the farm show that the family were actually RATHERAMS!!!

My family originate from the city of Birmingham and its suburbs of Aston and Ladywood.  The largest source of the name comes from rural North Warwickshire around the villages of Nether Whitacre, Over Whitacre, Coleshill, Elmdon, Kingsbury and Tanworth-In-Arden. I am sure there is a  family  link to this area. I just have to find it!

We do not appear to be have any rich or famous family members just lots of Ag.Labs. (i.e. Agricultural Labourers) although some of the Ratherams were Yeomen and Shop Keepers of some standing within the community.

This site is for anyone who thinks they may have a connection to the area or family however you spell your surname!"

If you share any connection with the family links please get in touch.

Jacquie Atkinson(nee Ratheram)

E-mail jmatkinson@ratheramfamily.co.uk

.