The surname Cotter originates from an occupational name meaning "cooper" in Old French. It was originally a metonymic occupational name for someone who made and sold wooden containers such as barrels, tubs, and buckets.
The name is derived from the Old French word "coutour," which means "container" or "tub." In Middle English, this word evolved into "coter" or "couter," which eventually became "Cotter." The name can also be found in various spellings, such as Cottar, Cotterell, and Cutter.
The surname is most common in Ireland, where it is an anglicized form of the Gaelic names Ó Cuitir or Mac Cuithir, which mean "descendant of the cooper." The name spread to Ireland from England during the Norman invasion of the country in the 12th century.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Cotter
The meaning and origin of the last name Cotter
The surname Cotter is of Irish origin, derived from the Old Gaelic name "O Cathair" or "Mac Cathair". These names translate to 'son of the fort' or 'follower of the fort', referring to an association with a specific location or landmark. The name was anglicized as Cotter during the period of English rule in Ireland, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries when English rule implemented policies aimed at standardizing Irish names into forms more recognizable to English speakers. The Cotter surname is common in counties such as Tipperary, Cork, and Waterford in Ireland. Notable individuals bearing this name include John Cotter, a prominent figure in the American West who fought alongside Kit Carson, and Thomas Francis Meagher, an Irish nationalist leader who served as President of the Irish Confederation during the Irish Rebellion of 1848.
Geographical distribution of the last name Cotter
The surname Cotter is predominantly found in Irish and Scottish origins, with the highest concentrations in these regions due to historical migrations. In Ireland, it's most prevalent in counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, and Waterford, areas that have strong associations with the ancient Kingdom of Munster. The name is believed to be derived from the Gaelic "O'Cuitir" or "Mac Cuithir," meaning "the descendant of the smith." In Scotland, Cotter is found primarily in the Lowlands and along the border regions, reflecting another wave of Scottish migration. Globally, significant populations with the last name Cotter can be found in countries where Irish and Scottish immigrants settled, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variants and spellings of the last name Cotter
The surname Cotter has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in spelling conventions over time and across regions. Some common variations include Cottar, Coter, Cooter, Coater, Couter, and Kottar. These variations may result from transcription errors, regional dialects, or changes in surname usage during historical periods. Additionally, the name can also be found in its anglicized form as Cutler, which derives from an occupation related to butchery. The Gaelic equivalent of Cotter is Mac an tSagairt, meaning "son of the priest". These variations highlight the diversity and rich history associated with the Cotter name.
Famous people with the last name Cotter
Notable individuals with the surname Cotter include:
1. Pat Cotter (born 1946), an Irish hurler who won three All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championships and was inducted into the Gaelic Athletes Association Hall of Fame in 2008.
2. Bobby Cotter (1935–2017), an American professional baseball player who played for six Major League Baseball teams between 1960 and 1969.
3. Mike Cotter, a British author known for his work on various video games, including the Tomb Raider series.
4. Brian Cotter (born 1958), an American politician who served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 2007 to 2015.
5. Mick Cotter (born 1960), an Irish hurler who won three All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championships and was part of the first Cork team to win five consecutive All-Ireland titles between 1978 and 1982.
These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields, including sports, literature, and politics.
Genealogical research on the last name Cotter
The surname Cotter originated from Ireland and is most commonly associated with Counties Cork and Kerry. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic "O'Cotier," meaning "descendant of Cotir," a personal name derived from the Irish word "cothar," meaning "smith." The Cotter family were traditionally blacksmiths, crafting weapons for local chieftains. During the 17th century, many Cotters emigrated due to religious and political persecution, finding new homes in Scotland, England, and North America. In the United States, significant populations of the Cotter clan can be found in states such as Massachusetts, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The Cotter name has also been anglicized to other forms like Cottrell, Cutter, and Cutts over time.
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.
Last updated :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The surname "Cotado" is of Spanish origin. It derives from a place name, likely referring to a farmstead located near a cobblestone or paved area. In Old Castilian, "cobijo" meant ...
The surname Cotaina is believed to have originated from the Basque region, located in the northern parts of Spain and France. In this region, many surnames were derived from occupa...
The last name "Cotal" is of French origin. It is derived from the word "coteau," which means "hill" or "slope" in French. The name is likely to have originally been used to describ...
The origin of the last name "Cotanda" is not definitively known. It is possible that it could have originated from a specific region or country, or from a particular ethnic or cult...
The surname Cotas has multiple possible origins, depending on the geographical region and historical context.
1. In Portugal, Cotas is derived from a medieval occupation name for ...
The last name Cotelea is of Romanian origin. It is derived from the Romanian word "cotel" meaning cutting or slashing, and is likely to have originally been a descriptive or occupa...
The last name Cotelo is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "coto" which means a small piece of land or a field enclosure, and is likely to have been used as a surname f...
The surname Cotet is of Romanian origin. It comes from a diminutive form of the Romanian given name "Cotros" or "Costea," which means "little box." In some cases, it might also be ...
The surname "Coto" has multiple origins. It can be of Spanish, Portuguese, or Basque descent.
1. In Spain, it is a variant of the name Cortés, which means "courtyard." This name ...
The surname "Coton" is of Old French origin and derives from a nickname for someone who had short curly hair, resembling cotton. In Old French, the word "coton" means "cotton wool"...
The last name "Coton Pelagie" has English origins. "Coton" is derived from the Old English word "cotun" meaning "cottages" or "enclosure," while "Pelagie" is derived from the Greek...
The last name "Cotoner" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "coton" which means cotton in French. The surname was likely used to denote someone who worked with or tra...
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...
