Show ContentsCoatman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The history of the Coatman name began with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from the occupation "the coltman" or horse breeder. 1 2 3

Early Origins of the Coatman family

The surname Coatman was first found in Cumberland where Anote Coltman was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1332. Later, John le Coltman was listed in Cheshire in 1365. This latter entry underscores the occupational origin of the name as this entry literally translates as "John the Coltman."

The Writs of Parliament lists Geoffrey Coltman, 1313 and checking Yorkshire records we found Richard Coltman listed there in the Corpus Christi Guild (Surtees Society) in 1494. 1

Early History of the Coatman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coatman research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1365, 1703 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Coatman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coatman Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Coatman has appeared include Coltman, Coultman and others.

Early Notables of the Coatman family

More information is included under the topic Early Coatman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Coatman family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Coatman arrived in North America very early: John Coltman of Wethersfield who came from Sutton Coldfield in Warwickshire, he settled in Springfield Mass in 1644; Ann Coltman settled in Virginia in 1623.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print


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