Surname Kotte - Meaning and Origin
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Kotte: What does the surname Kotte mean?
The last name Kotte is believed to have originated in Northern Germany. The name is believed to derive from the lower-Saxon word ‘Kotte’, which was a type of sea vessel that was used to fish for cod and other types of fish in the North Sea. The popularity of the name rose in the early middle ages as German fishermen began using these vessels, and this is likely the source of the surname.
The Kotte family heraldry contains two crossed oars, and Kotte is thought to be a derivative of the word ‘Kotter’, which means small boat. It is unclear which specific region of Germany the Kotte surname originated from, however it was likely from the northern coastal area, as the name is strongly linked to the fishing industry and the use of the vessel.
The Kotte family line is believed to be one of the oldest German surnames, with the first known use of the name occurring in 1248 in Northern Germany. The surname can still be found in Germany today, especially in East Friesland, and is also seen in other parts of Europe.
The name Kotte represents the family's long heritage as fishermen, and is a reminder of the seafaring culture the family has been a part of since the Middle Ages. The Kotte family continues to keep their roots alive today and keeps their connection to the sea strong.
Order DNA origin analysisKotte: Where does the name Kotte come from?
The last name Kotte can be found throughout the world, but is particularly common in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
In Germany, Kotte is the 78th most common surname in the country. It is most prevalent in Bavaria, where it was once the 42nd most common surname in the region. It is most common in Bavarian cities such as Nuremburg and Munich.
In Belgium, Kotte ranks as the 7th most common last name. It is especially prevalent in the Flemish-speaking province of West Flanders and is the 2nd most popular surname in the city of Ostend.
In the Netherlands, Kotte is the 13th most commonly found surname. It is most prevalent in the northern part of the country, especially in the province of Friesland.
Kotte is also found in other parts of Europe, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Poland, and Romania. It is also common throughout much of South America, particularly in Peru, where it is the 2nd most commonly found surname.
In the United States, Kotte ranks as the 4,524th most common surname, and is particularly common in states like Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Illinois.
Overall, Kotte is a relatively common last name that can be found throughout Europe, as well as in certain parts of South America and the United States.
Variations of the surname Kotte
The surname Kotte is thought to be of Germanic origin, and is found in various countries such as France, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden. There are also many variants and spellings of this surname, which are linked to its Germanic roots.
In France, the surname Kotte is also found in the form Cot, and this variant is quite common in the country. The French spelling Cotte is also found, and this is often used to refer to someone of noble origin. Another spelling found in France is Cottereau, believed to be a more southern variant of the name.
In Spain, an alternative spelling is Coto, which is most common in Galicia and Catalonia. Those of Jewish origin may also be found with the spelling Quotes.
In the Netherlands, two variants can be found—Kotte and Kot. Kot is generally used to refer to those of Dutch origin, while Kotte is usually used for those of German descent.
In Denmark and Sweden, the most common variant is Cott, used primarily by those of Germanic origins.
In the United States and other English-speaking countries, the surname is often Americanized to Cote, Coté, or Cotti.
In addition to these spellings, there are also many variant surnames that are believed to be of the same origin. These include Cottier, Cotterman, Cottiero, Cotrell, and Cotman.
Famous people with the name Kotte
- Folke Kotte: a Swedish politician, former member of the Centre Party, who was active in local politics in Gothenburg.
- Inga Kotte: a Swedish news presenter and journalist who works for TV4.
- Max Kotte: a German politician and member of The Left Party, focusing on climate change and environmental policy.
- Martti Kotte: a Finnish business executive, former CEO of Elisa, a Finnish communications company.
- Markus Kotte: a German alpine skier who competed at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
- Manfred Kotte: a German scientist and professor in Pharmacology at the University of Göttingen.
- Luisa Kotte: a German figure skater, who won the gold medal at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships in 2008.
- Julian Kotte: a German football player, currently playing at FC Magdeburg in the 3. Liga.
- Fritz Kotte: a German actor and director, best known for his TV series “Der König von St. Pauli”.
- Rainer Kotte: a German music producer, working with artists such as Rammstein and Fettes Brot.