Show ContentsCoot History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Coot

What does the name Coot mean?

The earliest origins of the Coot surname date from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name reveals that an early member was a person who seemed to exhibit some of the characteristics of birds. More specifically, as the name was derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "coot," it was a surname which arose as a nickname.

Early Origins of the Coot family

The surname Coot was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Coot family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coot research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1201, 1219, 1227, 1600, 1602, 1605, 1610, 1620, 1622, 1636, 1642, 1661, 1672, 1683, 1689, 1695, 1700, 1738 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Coot History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coot Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Coot are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Coot include: Coote, Cootes, Coot and others.

Early Notables of the Coot family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

  • Colonel Chidley Coote, Premier Baronet of Ireland
  • Charles Coote (c.1610-1661), 1st Earl of Mountrath, an Irish peer
  • Charles Coote (b. 1622-1672), 2nd Earl of Mountrath

Migration of the Coot family to Ireland

Some of the Coot family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 242 words (17 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Coot migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Coot or a variant listed above:

Coot Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Jeremy Coot who settled in Virginia in 1653
  • Jerem Coot, who arrived in Virginia in 1653 1

Coot migration to Australia +

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

Coot Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mary Coot, aged 19, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Elgin" 2

Coot 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:

Coot Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Coot, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Euphemus" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 12th February 1857 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Coot (post 1700) +

  • Coot van Doesburgh, Actress


The Coot Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Vincit veritas
Motto Translation: Truth conquers.


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ELGIN 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Elgin.htm
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook