A carboxylated hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) lauryl glycidol ether (CHECGE) and a quaternary aminated HEC lauryl glycidol ether (QAHECGE) were synthesized by one pot process. The chemical structures of CHECGE and QAHECGE were verified by FT-IR and ¹H-NMR, and the average substitutions of various functionalgroups were also calculated. The rheological properties of the products were proved by coaxial rotary viscometer, and the results show that CHECGE solution is more elastic than native HEC solution. Apparent viscosity of CHECGE solution at low shear rate is higher than that of HEC solution. Although elastic behavior and apparent viscosity of QAHECGE solution are lower than HEC, both of the modified HEC solutions are more pseudoplastic than native HEC solution. CHECGE, QAHECGE and their complex blends were used as emulsifiers. The result show that CHECGE, QAHECGE and their blends with the mass ratio of 1∶3 could stabilize 20% olive oil emulsion more than 15 d. As a result, the modified HEC derivatives could be applied as novel emulsifiers.