Cotton
What is the origin of the last name Cotton?
Meaning and origin
The last name Cotton derives from the Old English word "cotun," which refers to a cottage or a small enclosed space. The name signified someone who lived near or worked in cottages. Initially used as a topographical name, it later became a surname, primarily in England. The surname Cotton has deep roots in English history and genealogy, reflecting the agrarian society of medieval England.
The longer story
The last name Cotton has a long history that can be traced back to medieval England. It has its origins in the Old English word "cote" or "cot," which means a small dwelling or shelter. The name likely originated as a nickname for someone who lived in or near a small cottage, or for someone who worked in the textile industry.
He was an influential figure in preserving many important historical documents, including the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Magna Carta.
The surname Cotton has been recorded with various spellings throughout history, including Coton, Cotten, and Coeton. These variations could be attributed to changes in pronunciation over time or regional differences.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#1,044
Cotton was the 1,044th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 33,374 people, about 11 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Cotton
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Cotton is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.