Cotter (surname)

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Cotter is a family surname which may -among other countries and regions- be found in Ireland.

This surname has at least two very different etymologies and translations.

We may divide these two into: [1], and [2].

Number order here does not indicate "prevalence" of any kind, but simply mirrors chronological appearance of the name Cotter:

[1]. The Irish surname is ultimately derived from Óttarr, a Norse personal name meaning 'powerful,' or possibly 'fearsome.' It was brought to Ireland by Viking settlers. A Hiberno-Norse chieftain named Ottir Dub (Ottir the Black) is recorded as fighting at the Battle of Clontarf (1014 AD), against Brian Boru the High King of Ireland, where he was slain. A high percentage of Cotter's live in Cork; it is also an Ulster surname where it is generally written Mac Coitir. Carl Marstrander, in: `Lochlainn', Ériu 5 (1911) Bidrag, pages: 66, 82, 98, 155, discusses the phonological and etymological complexities of this name. Scholar, Miriam Ellis, has written a detailed article regarding the origins of the surname Cotter and its links to the great Norse Sagas and the Arthurian Legends. Read this article at: http://miriamellis.com/geneaology1.shtml. A thought provoking study of the philology of this ancient surname, and an exciting read for all people connected to the Cotter family line. The scholarly article available here: http://www.ucc.ie/chronicon/ocorr2.htm discusses Ottir Dub his possible connection to the Norse Kingdom of Dublin and his likely origins.

Baile Mhic Choitir (Ballymaccotter), a townland of East Cork, is one of the areas originally settled by the Cotters. It is also a very prominent surname in the parish of Uíbh Laoire (Inchigeela and Ballingeary) in West Cork. The surname was initially corrupted in Irish to Mac Oitir. This corruption was further corrupted to Mac Coitir until eventually with the Anglicisation of Gaelic surnames, it became Cotter. It is worth noting that the word oitir appears in both Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic and also translates to English as river bank.

[2]. Cotter may also be derived from Old English Cottier or Cotier : in this case, it goes back to Old French Cottier and Latin "Cottus", following the Norman invasion of the British Isles. (See Cottier).

Cotter at one time was also spelt [Cottar] in canada it was later changed to cotter, i am a cotter Randi Kathleen Cotter. I live in Nova Scotia.

Some Cotters live in Liverpool because a lot of Irish people came over from boats to Liverpool and built families there.