| ![Show Contents]() Cotterman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Although Ireland already had an established system of hereditary surnames, the Strongbownians brought many of their own naming traditions to the island. There were, however, similarities between the two systems. The Strongbownians, like the Irish, frequently used patronymic surnames, a form of surname that was built from the name of the initial bearer's father, or another older relative. Norman patronymic names, because they were originally formed in French, were often created by the addition of a diminutive suffix to the given name, such as -ot, -et, -un, -in, or -el. Occasionally, two suffixes were combined to form a double diminutive, as in the combinations of -el-in, -el-ot, -in-ot, and -et-in. These Stronbownians also created patronymic names by the prefix Fitz-, which was derived from the French word fils, and ultimately from the Latin filius, which both mean son. This prefix probably originated in Flanders or Normandy, it has disappeared from France entirely but remains common in Ireland even today. The Strongbownian surname of Cotterman is derived from the popular Norse personal name Oitir. The Gaelic forms of the surname Cotterman are Mac Coitir and Mac Oitir. Early Origins of the Cotterman familyThe surname Cotterman was first found in Oxfordshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times. Early History of the Cotterman familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cotterman research. Another 168 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273, 1630, 1689, 1705, 1720, 1754, 1763, 1831 and 1884 are included under the topic Early Cotterman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Cotterman Spelling VariationsNames were simply spelled as they sounded by medieval scribes and church officials. Therefore, during the lifetime of a single person, his name was often spelt in many different ways, explaining the many spelling variations encountered while researching the name Cotterman. Some of these variations included: Cotter, Cotters, Cottar, Cottare, Cotteres, Cottares, Coitter and many more. Early Notables of the Cotterman familyNotable amongst the family up to this time was Sir James Fitz Edmond Cotter (c.1630-1705) Irish soldier, colonial governor and the commander-in-chief of King James's forces, in the Irish Counties of Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Kerry...
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cotterman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Cotterman familyIrish immigration to North American began in the late 18th century as many Irish families desired to own their own land. This pattern of immigration grew slowly yet steadily until the 1840s. At that time, a failed crop and a growing population in Ireland resulted in the Great Potato Famine. Poverty, disease, and starvation ravaged the land. To ease their pain and suffering the Irish often looked upon North America as a solution: hundreds of thousands undertook the voyage. Their arrival meant the growth of industry and commerce for British North America and the United States. For the individual Irishman, it meant survival and hope, and the opportunity for work, freedom, and ownership of land. The early immigration and passenger lists revealed many bearing the name Cotterman: James Cotter who settled in Bay De Verde, Newfoundland, in 1783; John Cotter settled in Boston in 1764 with his wife Elizabeth; Edward Cotter settled in New York, with his wife and four children in 1823.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Cotterman (post 1700) | + |
- Charles M. Cotterman, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Philippine Islands, 1924 (alternate), 1940 1
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England
Ireland
