Surname Cottingham - Meaning and Origin

Cottingham: What does the surname Cottingham mean?

The last name Cottingham is of English origins, likely originating from a location of the same name. Located in East Riding of Yorkshire, Cottingham was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. It was subsequently mentioned in other records between the 13th and 15th centuries.

The name Cottingham is derived from the Old English cot, meaning a cottage or small house, and the Old English element ham, meaning settlement. Thus, the name is a reference to a place where someone would traditionally live in a small house or cottage.

Today, the population of the village of Cottingham is approximately 12,000. The village boasts Saxon church ruins, a community centre, and a popular pub called the Black Horse. Its proud history is reflected in the many families that carry the name.

Cottingham residents have traditionally worked in the agricultural, manufacturing and service sectors. In more modern times, technology and communication have become mainstays of the contemporary economy, yet the village has held onto its rural charm.

As a name, Cottingham carries with it a proud history and is found all over the country, as far afield as the US and Canada. It is a reminder of a once small village, and pays homage to the hardworking and resilient people who have chosen, or been born, into a lively and enduring community.

Cottingham: Where does the name Cottingham come from?

The last name Cottingham is most commonly found in England and Wales. It's an old Anglo-Saxon surname that originated mainly from the Anglo-Saxon region of Nottinghamshire. During the Middle Ages, several members of the Cottingham family were prominent landowners and held important positions in the local community.

Today, the last name Cottingham is still quite common in England and Wales. According to recent reports, it's the 818th most popular surname in the UK. It's particularly widespread in Yorkshire (especially in the Doncaster and Hull areas) and in the North West of England. In addition, there are quite a few Cottinghams living in South Wales and many who have spread to other countries around the world.

Cottingham is also the 852nd most popular name in the US. It's mainly concentrated in the states of Texas, Arizona, Georgia and Tennessee. The largest population of Cottinghams in the US is in Texas (more than 9,000 people).

Overall, the last name Cottingham is still quite widely spread today. It's particularly popular in the UK and US, but is found in many other countries around the world due to migration over the centuries.

Variations of the surname Cottingham

The surname Cottingham has various spelling variants and surnames of the same origin.

Coutingham, Cottonham, Cottingam, Cottingham, Cateringham, Cotherham, Cottermam, Cottheim, Kotingham, Kotineham, Kothingham, Kottingham, Cotheridge, Cotridge, Kotheridge, Cootenham and Kootenham are all spellings of one and the same surname, Cottingham.

The origin of the surname can be traced back to the Old English name Cotinga, a combination of the words cot and ing, which mean ‘cottage’ and ‘family’, respectively. Over the course of history, through the various languages and re-spelling of the name, a variety of spellings came about.

The variations of the surname Cottingham may have also originated due to the wide geographical dispersion of individuals with said surname. Another factor in the emergence of the various spellings of the surname was the practice of phonetic spellings, which was common in earlier eras.

The spellings Cotte, Cottin, Cotting, Cotton, Cottono, Kott, Kotting, Kottings, Kottage, Kottingham, Kottenham, Kettin and Cottrell have also been used historically. These variants of Cottingham are found in many branches of the family tree, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.

It is likely that the surnames Cottingham, Cotherham, and Cotte are all related to one another, although the exact connection is not clear. Nevertheless, all of them may have derived from the same root name, Cotinga.

Famous people with the name Cottingham

• Elliott Cottingham: American Soccer player who played as a midfielder for various clubs in the US, Mexico, and Belgium.
• P. Bruce Cottingham: American lawyer who has served as the president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the Virginia State Bar.
• Robert Cottingham: American Artist specializing in screen prints and lithographs exploring the icons of pop culture influenced by commercial printing techniques.
• Bill Cottingham: Former American professional basketball player who spent four seasons in the NBA as a forward for the New Orleans Jazz in the late 1970s.
• Dean Cottinham: English actor known for his roles in the contemporary drama series The White Queen and the 1982 historical fantasy movie Excalibur.
• George Cottingham: British businessman and entrepreneur, best known for having founded and served on the board of various financial institutions in the UK, US, and Asia.
• Lisa Cottingham: American contemporary artist focusing on painting, sculpture, and other media. Her story-like and abstracted narratives are inspired by her research in history, anthropology, and neuroscience.
• Charles Cottingham: Actor and stuntman with credits in the Harry Potter franchise as well as numerous productions for BBC.
• David Cottingham: American voice actor who provided the voice for Principal Tater in the Nickelodeon animated series The Fairly OddParents.
• Robert Cottingham Jr.: Former American Football player who played as a linebacker in the NFL for the Detroit Lions from 1975 to 1978.

Other surnames

CottingamCottingameCottingim