Surname Cotterell - Meaning and Origin
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Cotterell: What does the surname Cotterell mean?
The surname Cotterell is of Norman-French origin, derived from the Old French term 'cotele'. This term originally referred to a small valley or hollow between hills, or a small area of woodland. The surname was later used to describe someone who lived in or by such a feature.
The surname moved to England with the Norman invasion of 1066. The first recorded spelling of the name was William de Coterel, which was dated 1185, in the MiddleEnglish “Pipe Rolls of Warwickshire”. Over time, spellings of the name changed to Coaterill, Coterell, Cotterell, Cotterill, and other various forms.
As a surname, Cotterell appears to be most common in the English counties of Gloucestershire, Shropshire and Herefordshire.
The Cotterell surname appears in many historical documents, such as the Medieval Occupations List of London, where William Cotterell was listed as a sheriff in 1320 and Robert Cotterell was listed as a “grayer” (an individual employed to find items in warehouses) in 1550.
Today, the surname Cotterell is found throughout England, Ireland, Australia, the United States, and many other countries. It remains a relatively rare surname, due to its geographic rarity and being passed along through direct male descendants.
Order DNA origin analysisCotterell: Where does the name Cotterell come from?
The surname Cotterell is likely of English origin. It is believed to come from the Old English phrase which means "cottar's spring" and originates from a spring that was located close to the homestead of a cottar, or tenant farmer.
The last name Cotterell is common in England, especially in Somerset and Devon, and has eaten into Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as the United States. In 19th century America, Cotterells could be found from Massachusetts to Florida, as well as Texas and Oregon.
In 2018, according to the United Kingdom Office for National Statistics, Cotterell was the 4,601st most common surname in the country with around 4,021 individuals bearing the name. Meanwhile, in the United States, Cotterell is the 12,281st most popular last name in the United States with approximately 5,253 bearers.
In today’s modern world, the name is still common, seen all throughout the United Kingdom, the United States, and likely beyond. It is seen primarily on the East Coast of the United States, in states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York. However, it can be found in other states including Nevada, Texas, Ohio, and even California.
The Cotterell surname can also be found in Australia, the Netherlands, and some parts of continental Europe. As with any country, having ancestors bearing particular surnames often varies depending on the migration patterns of people and their ancestors.
Variations of the surname Cotterell
The surname Cotterell is most commonly thought to originate from the English place name Cotterell in Wiltshire, first found in records dating back to 1086.
Variants of the surname include Coterel, Cottonrell, Cottarel, Cotrel(l) and Cottrell. All of these variations have the same origin and they are all a variation on the place name Cotterell. In some cases, the spelling variations have been used due to spelling errors in official documents, handwriting misreadings and dialectal differences.
The earliest known continuous variant spelling of Cotterell was Coterel which was found in the 13th century. It is believed that this spelling of the name originated in Lancashire.
Cottrell is another variation which was found in church records and baptisms in the 1400s in Worcestershire. The Cotterell family in Woostershire used the forms Cotrel, Cottrel and Coterell.
In Scotland, there is a variant spelling of the surname known as Cottonrell (also found in certain records as Cottonrells). The surname is believed to be derived from an English emigrant to the Scottish lowlands.
In some cases, the surnames Coterel, Cotrell and Cottrell are considered to be septs of the surname Cotterell. The surname Cotterell is also found in certain records as Cottreil, which is likely to be another spelling variant.
In conclusion, the primary origin of the surname Cotterell is the place name Cotterell in Wiltshire. There are also a variety of spelling variations of the surname which have been used due to spelling errors, misreadings and dialectal differences. The variants of the surname include Coterel, Cotrell, Cottonrell, Cottarel, Cottrell and Cottreil.
Famous people with the name Cotterell
- Rob Cotterell: An English television writer and producer who has won awards for his work on programmes such as Sherlock, Doctor Who and Top Gear.
- Alan Cotterell: Legendary footballer of the West Bromwich Albion F.C. from 1952–69 and manager from 1974–78.
- Mark Cotterell: English art historian, writer, curator and critic.
- John Cotterell: English marine painter, born to a long line of marine painters.
- Richard Cotterell: Notable British writer, historian, and parliamentarian, Cotterell was the biographer of Frederick the Great and held various elected positions throughout his lifetime.
- E. B. Cotterell: An Australian writer and painter who wrote prolifically on a variety of topics related to the landscape and culture of his home country.
- Harry Cotterell: Harry illustrated and wrote several books on motorcycling and other topics.
- Helen Cotterell: Award-winning British poet and short story writer whose work has been published in journals, anthologies and collections.
- Robyn Cotterell-Jones: A novelist of contemporary and historical fiction writing stories about the lives of women in diverse historical contexts all over the world.
- Charlie Cotterell: Professional British swimmer who holds two British records in the sport.