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Last Name Cotrim

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What is the origin of the last name Cotrim?

The surname Cotrim is of Portuguese origin. It comes from a place-name, specifically a town named Cotrul in the district of Leiria, Portugal. Surnames derived from place names were common during the Middle Ages as a way to identify an individual's lineage or geographical origins. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name may have evolved due to factors such as migration and assimilation in different regions.

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The meaning and origin of the last name Cotrim

The surname Cotrim is of Portuguese origin, specifically from the Alentejo region in southern Portugal. It is derived from the occupation "cotrimento" or "cortimento," which refers to someone who trims or prunes trees. The name was likely given to an individual who worked as a tree trimmer or had a profession related to forestry. Over time, the surname has been spelled in various ways including Cotrim, Coutrim, and Quintela-Cotrim. Today, it is found predominantly among Portuguese populations, although it can also be found in other Portuguese-speaking countries due to migration.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cotrim

The surname Cotrim is predominantly distributed across Portugal and its former colonies, particularly Brazil, as a result of historical migration patterns. In Portugal, it's most frequently found in the regions of Beira Alta, Coimbra, Portalegre, and Lisbon. In Brazil, states like Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Goiás exhibit high concentrations due to Portuguese immigration during the colonial period and later waves of migration. The name also appears sporadically in other Portuguese-speaking countries such as Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde. Beyond these regions, the Cotrim surname is less common but can be found in other parts of the world where Portuguese immigrants have settled.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cotrim

The surname Cotrim has various spelling variations due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common versions include: Coutrim, Costa Trindade, Cótrimo, Costrini, Coutrime, Cootrim, Coatrim, Coattrim, and Coutreym. These variations may have originated from different regions or dialects, but they all share a common root with the primary spelling of Cotrim. It is essential to note that these names might have distinct meanings in various languages and cultures, but their origins remain unclear due to historical record inconsistencies. However, some researchers suggest possible connections to Portuguese, Spanish, or Italian names. The name may be a derivation of words like "cortejo" (courtship), "costa" (coast), or "trimo" (small farm) in Portuguese, respectively.

Famous people with the last name Cotrim

The Cotrim family is notable for producing several distinguished individuals across various fields. One of the most renowned members is Jose Augusto de Faria e Sousa Cotrim (1843-1927), a Portuguese diplomat and politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to France, among other roles. In the world of sports, Fernando Cotrim (b. 1950) is a Brazilian former tennis player who won the Rio de Janeiro Open in 1973 and reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 27. In the realm of science, Maria do Carmo Cotrim (b. 1944) is a Brazilian biologist specializing in genetics and evolutionary ecology, having made significant contributions to the understanding of tropical diseases and biodiversity conservation. Lastly, Jorge Alvim de Cotrim Neto (b. 1967), a Portuguese entrepreneur, is the founder of the J&P Aviation group and was named Entrepreneur of the Year in Portugal in 2015.

Genealogical research on the last name Cotrim

The surname Cotrim originates from Portugal, specifically in the region of Minho and Beira Alta. It is believed to have derived from the occupation of a person who was a "cotrim", a medieval term for a fuller or cloth finisher. One notable individual with this surname is Domingos de Cotrim (1520-1563), a Portuguese explorer who led expeditions in Africa during the 16th century. The Cotrim family also played significant roles in the history of Portugal, with members holding important positions such as governors, mayors, and military leaders throughout the centuries. Today, the surname Cotrim is found not only in Portugal but also in Brazil, due to Portuguese immigration.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

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