Show ContentsTota History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Tota family

The surname Tota was first found in Hampshire where Edwin Totti was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1200. Later, Robert Totty was registered in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1327 and Thomas Totty was found in the Feet of Fines for Warwickshire 1415-1416. [1]

Conjecturally, they are descended from one of the earliest records of a formal name when a grant was made by Wulfhere, King of the Mercians in 674. Included as his witnesses to the grant was Bishop Totta (Tota), (d. c. 786) Bishop of Selsey, the second most senior ecclesiastic in his kingdom. Evidence of the age of this surname is endorsed by the absolute simplicity of the Coat of Arms of the family.

The name denotes a descendant of the Anglo-Saxon Tota, Totta which are pet forms of one of the Torht- (Old English torht, glorious) names. [2]

While Hampshire was the first record of the family, according to early rolls, Yorkshire proved to be a stronghold later. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Beatrix Totty; Willelmus Totty; Johannes Totty; and Robertus Thotte. [3]

Early History of the Tota family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tota research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1555, 1627, 1707 and 1837 are included under the topic Early Tota History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tota Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Tottie, Totty, Toty, Totie, Totye, Totta, Tottye and others.

Early Notables of the Tota family

Distinguished members of the family include Elizabeth Tottie of Eccleshall; and James Tutty (or Tuttey) of Brenchley, Kent. He was one of the English Protestant martyrs, better known as one...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tota Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tota family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Frances Totty who settled in Maryland in 1723; John Totty settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1866.


Contemporary Notables of the name Tota (post 1700) +

  • André Tota (b. 1950), former French footballer who played as a striker


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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