Show ContentsOtton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name of the Otton family is derived from the Old French personal names Odes, Otes, Odon, and Otton. These are all derived from the Old German names "Odo" and "Otto," which literally mean "riches." Occasionally, the name Otton is a local surname derived from the settlement of Ott in Belgium.

Early Origins of the Otton family

The surname Otton was first found in Cornwall where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the census rolls taken by the ancient Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Otton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Otton research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1649 and 1705 are included under the topic Early Otton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Otton Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Oates, Oats, Otes, Otis, Oaten, Otten, Oadt, Otton, Oton and many more.

Early Notables of the Otton family

Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Otton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Otton family to Ireland

Some of the Otton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Otton migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Otton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Otton, (b. 1789), aged 41, English ploughman who was convicted in Devon, England for life for theft, transported aboard the "Burrell" on 22nd July 1830, arriving in New South Wales, he died in 1864 1

New Zealand Otton migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Otton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Otton, English settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Dagmar" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 21st May 1869 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Otton (post 1700) +

  • Brad Otton (b. 1972), former American college football quarterback


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/burrell
  2. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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