English (Midlands and northern England): occupational name from Middle English cart(e) ‘cart’ + wright(e) ‘craftsman’ (Old English cræt or Old Norse kartr + Old English wyrhta) for a cartwright a maker of carts. Variant of Courtright a surname of Dutch origin.
Variations of the name include: Cartright, Cartwrite, Carthright, Kartwright, Kartright, Cartrite, Kartwrite, Chartwright, Cartrite, Catherick, Cartrait, Cartray, Ceterith, Cateray, Cautheret, Carterwright, Carterright, Carterrite, Chartright, Chartwright, Cardwright and many more.