Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Motte

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Motte?

The surname "Motte" is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "motte," meaning a mound or small hill. It was often used to denote that the original bearer lived near such a geographical feature. Over time, it became a hereditary surname in various regions of France. The name has also been adopted in other countries and cultures due to historical migrations and colonization.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Motte

The meaning and origin of the last name Motte

The surname Motte originates from France, specifically from regions such as Normandy and Picardy. It is an occupational name derived from the Old French word "motte," which means a small mound or artificial hill, often used for defensive purposes in the form of motte-and-bailey castles. The name was likely given to individuals who built or maintained such structures, or perhaps lived near them. Over time, as families moved and spread across Europe, the spelling of Motte varied, including Mott, Mot, Mote, etc., due to regional dialects and scribal errors. Today, the Motte surname can be found among populations in France, England, and other parts of Western Europe, with variations in spelling reflecting its long and storied history.

Geographical distribution of the last name Motte

The surname Motte is primarily distributed across Western Europe, particularly in France and Belgium, with significant concentrations also found in Switzerland and Luxembourg. Its highest density can be observed in the northern French region of Picardy, where it's often associated with the city of Amiens. In Belgium, the name has a notable presence in Wallonia, especially in the province of Hainaut. Smaller clusters of Motte-bearing families can also be found in other European countries such as Germany, Spain, and Italy, although these are less frequent compared to France and Belgium. The distribution of this surname reflects historical migration patterns within Europe, with many families moving during the Middle Ages due to religious or political events.

Variants and spellings of the last name Motte

The surname Motte is of French origin and has several variations and spellings. These include Mot, Mott, Mote, Motteaux, Motteau, Motet, Motette, Mottez, and possibly others due to regional differences in pronunciation and spelling over time. The name may originate from the Old French word "motte," which means mound or small hill, referring to a geographical feature. In some cases, it could also be an occupational name for someone who built such structures, perhaps as a mason or fortification builder. Additionally, it can be a diminutive form of names that contain the root "Mau" or "Mat," which are common in Old French names. These variations serve to illustrate the diversity and flexibility of surnames across different regions and time periods.

Famous people with the last name Motte

The Motte surname is associated with notable figures across various fields such as arts, literature, and politics. One prominent figure is Philippe de Motte, a French politician who served as Minister for Cultural Affairs from 2004 to 2009 under President Jacques Chirac. In the world of music, there is Marilyn Manson (Brian Hugh Warner), an American singer, songwriter, and actor who has been a leading figure in the shock rock genre since the mid-1990s. In literature, Guy de Maupassant, whose real name was Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant but often wrote under just his first names, is considered one of the greatest French short story writers. He is known for his collection of short stories, "Contes fantastiques" (Fantastic Tales), and novels like "Bel-Ami" and "Pierre et Jean." Although not a Motte by birth, the English poet John Donne used the pen name John Motte during his time as a Member of Parliament.

Genealogical research on the last name Motte

The surname Motte is of Old French origin, derived from the word "motte," meaning mound or small hill. It was often used as a toponymic name for someone who lived near such a landform. During the Middle Ages, many French families emigrated to England and later colonies in Europe and the Americas, carrying the name Motte with them.

The first recorded spelling of the name is believed to be that of Richard de la Motte, who appeared in the Domesday Book, a survey carried out in 1086 by William the Conqueror. The family continued to be prominent throughout England and France during the Middle Ages, with branches also established in Scotland and Ireland.

In modern times, variations of the name include Mot, Mott, Mote, and Motteux. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Sir John Motte, a medieval crusader; Alexander Cunningham Motte, an American Civil War soldier and politician; and French composer François Motte. The family's history reflects their long-standing influence in Europe, particularly in France and England, and their continued presence in modern societies.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

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.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Mota

Last name • surnames > mota

The last name "Mota" has multiple possible origins and meanings. 1. Portuguese: In Portugal, "Mota" is a quite common surname and is derived from the Portuguese word "mota," meani...

#2 Motabar

Last name • surnames > motabar

The last name "Motabar" is of Persian origin. It is derived from the Persian word "motabar," meaning "reliable" or "dependable." The surname is commonly found in Iran and among Per...

#3 Motabr khan

Last name • surnames > motabr-khan

The last name "Motabr Khan" has origins in the Arabic and Persian languages. "Motabr" means respected or honorable in Arabic, while "Khan" is a title of nobility and leadership in ...

#4 Motagamwala

Last name • surnames > motagamwala

The last name "Motagamwala" appears to have origins in India, specifically among the Gujarati Muslim community. This surname likely indicates familial or ancestral ties to a partic...

#5 Motahaer

Last name • surnames > motahaer

The last name "Motahaer" originates from the Persian language. It is a combination of the words "mota" meaning pearl and "haer" meaning worthy or deserving. The name likely origina...

#6 Motahar

Last name • surnames > motahar

The last name "Motahar" originates from Arabic and is a variant of the name "Mu'tahar", which means "pure" or "clean" in Arabic.

#7 Motahari

Last name • surnames > motahari

The surname Motahari is of Persian origin. It is a surname commonly found in Iran and is often associated with individuals of Iranian descent.

#8 Motaher

Last name • surnames > motaher

The last name "Motaher" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "mutahhar," which means "purified" or "clean." This last name likely originated from a person's occu...

#9 Motaher hossain

Last name • surnames > motaher-hossain

The last name "Motaher Hossain" is of Bengali origin. It is a combination of the Arabic word "Motaher," meaning pure or clean, and the traditional Islamic name "Hossain," which is ...

#10 Motahir hossain

Last name • surnames > motahir-hossain

The last name "Motahir Hossain" is of Bengali origin. The first part "Motahir" is derived from the Arabic word meaning "purified" or "clean", while "Hossain" is a common Arabic nam...

#11 Motaib

Last name • surnames > motaib

The surname Motaib is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "motaib" which means "giver" or "generous." It is a common surname in Arabic-speaking countries, particul...

#12 Motair

Last name • surnames > motair

The last name "Motair" does not appear to have a well-documented origin or meaning. It could possibly be a variation or anglicization of a surname from another language or culture....

#13 Motais de narbonne

Last name • surnames > motais-de-narbonne

The name "Motais de Narbonne" is a French family name. It is probably composed of two elements: "Motais" and "Narbonne". The name "Motais" is a rather rare surname in France, whic...

#14 Motal

Last name • surnames > motal

The last name Motal is of Polish origin. It is derived from the personal name "Motyl", which means "butterfly" in Polish. This last name may have originally been used as a nickname...

#15 Motala

Last name • surnames > motala

The surname Motala is of Indian origin, specifically from the Gujarati and Sindhi communities in India. It is associated with the town of Motala in the state of Gujarat, which is s...