Show ContentsCotinton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Cotinton comes from when the family resided in one of the various settlements called Coddington in the counties of Cheshire, Derbyshire, Hertfordshire, and Nottinghamshire. Thus, the surname Cotinton belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Cotinton family

The surname Cotinton was first found in Gloucestershire at Codrington, which dates back to at least the 12th century when it was listed as Cuderintuna and literally meant "estate associated with a man called Cuthhere" derived from the Old English personal name + ing + tun. 1 Another reference further breaks down the name Cuthhere or Cuohere as a personal name composed of the elements "cuo" meaning famous or well-known + "here," meaning army. 2

Early History of the Cotinton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cotinton research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1619, 1626, 1665, 1668, 1691 and 1710 are included under the topic Early Cotinton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cotinton Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Cotinton has been recorded under many different variations, including Codrington, Coddrington, Codrinton, Coddrinton and others.

Early Notables of the Cotinton family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Christopher Codrington (1668-1710), British soldier, slaver, bibliophile and colonial governor who upon his death bequeathed his slave plantations to found Codrington College, St. John, Barbados. Born in the Barbados, his father, also Christopher Codrington, was captain-general of the Leeward Islands. Young Codrington was sent to England to be educated, and went to school at Enfield under Dr. Wedale. 3Robert Codrington (d...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cotinton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cotinton family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Cotinton or a variant listed above: Jonathon Coddrington who settled in Barbados in 1680 with his servants; Robert Codrington settled in Barbados with his wife and daughter in 1678; Lieutenant Codrington also settled in Barbados in 1679.



The Cotinton 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: Immersabillis est vera virtus
Motto Translation: True virtue cannot be conquered.


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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