Surname Kotters - Meaning and Origin
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Kotters: What does the surname Kotters mean?
The last name Kotters is of German origin and is believed to have derived from the medieval given name Kotter. The given name Kotter is derived from the Old Germanic personal name "Cottōr", derived from the Old Germanic root "Kot" meaning "Fleet-footed" or "Furious". It was also sometimes applied as a nickname for a swift runner or was used in reference to someone known to occasionally act in a hasty manner.
The surname was eventually embraced by families across Germany, with the first recorded instance of this surname existing in documents dating back to 1490 in the village of Borken, located in the Smaller Harz Mountains in northwestern Germany.
By the 19th century, the surname had spread throughout Europe and even to the colonial United States. In the United States, the surname most commonly appears in records from the 1700s, having been adopted by German immigrants settling in Pennsylvania and surrounding colonies.
Though no definitive meaning can be sourced for the name, it is likely that the name was chosen by a family of German heritage due to its strong associations of speed and action. In any case, the surname remains a notable example of a true Germanic family name.
Order DNA origin analysisKotters: Where does the name Kotters come from?
The last name Kotters is found primarily in Northern Europe and is mostly of Germanic origin. It is an unusual name but is still popular today, specifically in the Netherlands. It is also found in low numbers in Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Luxembourg, and Austria. In the United States, it is most commonly found in the Upper Midwest states, particularly Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Kotters is derived from the germanic word "cotter", a nickname for a poor, small tenancy farmer. The name came into use in Germany in the Middle Ages and was used for most people who engaged in such labor. It was also used to distiguish those of the same kind of profession.
The name Kotters is relatively rare today, however it is making a comeback. It is becoming more common in the countries mentioned above, though it is still relatively rare in the United States. This is due in part to immigration from Northern Europe, as well as people with the name marrying into more traditionally American surnames.
The name symbolic of perseverance, hard work, and unique heritage, the Kotters name is still going strong today.
Variations of the surname Kotters
Kotter is a rare surname of German-Jewish and Eskimo-Inuit origin. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kotters include:
1.Cotterell: This is an anglicized spelling of the surname Kotter. It can also be spelled as Cotterill.
2.Kotterman: This is a variant of the surname Kotter that derives from Germany. It can also be spelled as Kotterman or Köttemann.
3.Kotterzeich: This is a variant of the surname Kotter that derives from Germany. It can also be spelled as Kottarzeich or Kötterzeich.
4.Kottenbrecher: This is a variant of the surname Kotter that derives from Germany. It can also be spelled Kottenbrecher or Köttenbrecher.
5.Kotteriskin: This is a variant of the surname Kotter that derives from the Eskimo-Inuit language. It can also be spelled as Kotteriskin or Kotterskin.
6.Kottak: This is a variant of the surname Kotter that was found in Germany and Lithuania. It can also be spelled as Kottack or Kottakk.
7.Koatte: This is a variant of the surname Kotter that was found in Lithuania. It can also be spelled as Koattec or Koate.
These are some of the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kotters.
Famous people with the name Kotters
- John Travolta: Actor, singer, and dancer, best known for his roles in ‘Grease’ and ‘Saturday Night Fever’.
- Steve Guttenberg: Actor who starred in ‘Police Academy’ and ‘Cocoon’.
- Gary Kroeger: Actor and comedian, best known for his work on ‘Saturday Night Live’.
- Andrew Kotter: Television news anchor and producer, currently working for Fox News Channel.
- Robby Kottler: Professional golfer who has six professional wins, including three on the Korn Ferry Tour.
- Paul Kotter: Singer-songwriter and founding member of the Swedish metal band ‘Amon Amarth’.
- Stephanie Kotter: Circus performer and acrobat, internationally renowned for her trapeze performances.
- Maggie Kotter: Painter and sculptor based in New York City, best known for her abstract oil paintings.
- Lexi Kotter: Professional softball player with the Australia women's national team.
- Gillian Kotter: Author and illustrator of children's books, including ‘The Earth and Stars’ and ‘Finn and the Dragon’.