Ott
What is the origin of the last name Ott?
Meaning and origin
The last name Ott originated as a patronymic surname derived from the given name "Otto," which itself comes from the Germanic element "auda," meaning "wealth" or "riches." As a patronymic surname, Ott signifies "son of Otto" and can be traced back to medieval Germany. Over time, the name Ott has spread across various countries, with variations and adaptations seen in different regions.
The longer story
The last name Ott is of German origin and is classified as a patronymic surname. Patronymic surnames are derived from the given name of the father or a male ancestor. In the case of the Ott surname, it is derived from the given name "Otte," which itself is a diminutive of "Otto."
The name Otto has Germanic roots and is derived from the Old High German word "uod," meaning "wealth" or "prosperity." It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and is still in use today. The Ott surname, therefore, signifies a connection to a male ancestor named Otte or Otto.
Germany, particularly the North Rhine-Westphalia region, is the primary homeland of the Ott surname. The name is relatively common in this area, suggesting a concentrated distribution of individuals carrying this name.
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.
#1,373
Ott was the 1,373rd most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 25,738 people, about 8.3 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Ott
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Ott 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.