NameCensus.

UK surname

Cotten

Derived from the Old English word for "cottage," denoting someone who lived in or worked at a cottage.

In the 1881 census there were 221 people recorded with the Cotten surname, ranking it #12,049 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 105, ranked #30,114, down from #12,049 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Herne (incl. Herne Bay Chapelry), Exbury (with Leap), Roughdown, Ipersbridge, Fawley (including Calshot Castle) and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Lindsey, Basingstoke and Deane and Manchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cotten is 297 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 52.5%.

1881 census count

221

Ranked #12,049

Modern count

105

2016, ranked #30,114

Peak year

1861

297 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cotten had 221 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,049 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 105 in 2016, ranked #30,114.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 297 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Cotten surname distribution map

The map shows where the Cotten surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Cotten surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cotten over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 245 #8,920
1861 historical 297 #8,508
1881 historical 221 #12,049
1891 historical 206 #14,597
1901 historical 185 #15,892
1911 historical 214 #14,333
1997 modern 118 #24,423
1998 modern 122 #24,556
1999 modern 131 #23,709
2000 modern 119 #25,072
2001 modern 117 #24,974
2002 modern 122 #24,874
2003 modern 109 #26,361
2004 modern 114 #25,870
2005 modern 110 #26,430
2006 modern 100 #28,283
2007 modern 101 #28,505
2008 modern 101 #28,825
2009 modern 109 #28,145
2010 modern 124 #26,582
2011 modern 114 #27,784
2012 modern 114 #27,868
2013 modern 106 #29,740
2014 modern 107 #29,827
2015 modern 107 #29,708
2016 modern 105 #30,114

Geography

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Where Cottens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Herne (incl. Herne Bay Chapelry), Exbury (with Leap), Roughdown, Ipersbridge, Fawley (including Calshot Castle), London parishes, Southampton St Mary and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Lindsey, Basingstoke and Deane, Manchester, Cornwall and South Norfolk. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Herne (incl. Herne Bay Chapelry) Kent
2 Exbury (with Leap), Roughdown, Ipersbridge, Fawley (including Calshot Castle) Hampshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Southampton St Mary Hampshire
5 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Lindsey 010 West Lindsey
2 Basingstoke and Deane 020 Basingstoke and Deane
3 Manchester 007 Manchester
4 Cornwall 009 Cornwall
5 South Norfolk 015 South Norfolk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cotten

These lists show first names that appear often with the Cotten surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cotten

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Cotten, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Cotten surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Cotten household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Cotten is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Cotten is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Cotten falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Cotten is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Cotten, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Cotten

The surname Cotten has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "cot," which referred to a small dwelling or a hut. This suggests that the name may have initially been given to someone who lived in a modest cottage or a small house.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Cotten can be found in the Domesday Book, a survey of lands and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Cotte" in this historical document, indicating its existence in England during the 11th century.

In the 12th century, the surname Cotten emerged in various parts of England, including Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and Gloucestershire. It was also associated with several place names, such as Cotton in Cheshire and Cotton Abbots in Warwickshire, further solidifying its connection to the Old English word for a small dwelling.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Cotten throughout history include Sir Robert Bruce Cotton (1571-1631), an English antiquarian and the founder of the famous Cotton library, now part of the British Library. Another prominent figure was William Cotton (1786-1866), a renowned English actor and playwright who graced the stages of London's theaters during the 19th century.

In the United States, the surname Cotten gained recognition with the acclaimed actress Jennifer Cotten (1937-1995), known for her roles in films such as "The Delicate Delinquent" and "The Deep." Additionally, John Cotten (1784-1826), an American politician from North Carolina, served as a member of the United States House of Representatives.

Across the Atlantic, the name Cotten also has a presence in France, where it is sometimes spelled as "Cotton." One notable figure was Charles Cotton (1630-1687), an English poet and writer who spent a significant portion of his life in France and is best known for his translations of the works of Horace and Lucian.

Throughout its history, the surname Cotten has undergone various spelling variations, including Cotton, Cottan, and Cottin, reflecting the fluidity of names during different time periods and regional influences. However, the essence of the name remains rooted in its humble beginnings, reflecting the modest dwellings of its early bearers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cotten families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cotten surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Kent leads with 40 Cottens recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.44x.

County Total Index
Kent 40 5.44x
Hampshire 37 8.37x
Middlesex 30 1.39x
Devon 15 3.34x
Surrey 13 1.24x
Staffordshire 12 1.65x
Lancashire 11 0.43x
Yorkshire 11 0.51x
Buckinghamshire 7 5.37x
Essex 7 1.65x
Gloucestershire 6 1.42x
Warwickshire 6 1.10x
Northumberland 5 1.56x
Durham 4 0.62x
Cornwall 3 1.23x
Bedfordshire 2 1.79x
Midlothian 2 0.69x
Berkshire 1 0.62x
Cheshire 1 0.21x
Glamorgan 1 0.27x
Leicestershire 1 0.42x
Lincolnshire 1 0.29x
Pembrokeshire 1 1.46x
Suffolk 1 0.38x
Sussex 1 0.28x
Westmorland 1 2.11x
Worcestershire 1 0.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Teignmouth in Devon leads with 13 Cottens recorded in 1881 and an index of 706.52x.

Place Total Index
East Teignmouth 13 706.52x
Herne 12 368.10x
Fawley 11 785.71x
Canterbury St Mildred 8 457.14x
Chorlton On Medlock 8 19.69x
Deptford St Paul 8 14.10x
Islington London 8 3.83x
Wolstanton 8 36.20x
Southampton St Mary 7 25.20x
Olney 6 333.33x
Barham 5 666.67x
Dibden 5 1351.35x
Elswick 5 19.53x
Millbrook 5 44.92x
Shoreditch London 5 5.35x
St George Bloomsbury 5 40.42x
Swinton In Rotherham 5 88.50x
Church Eaton 4 816.33x
Hinton On The Green 4 3076.92x
Little Thurrock 4 1176.47x
Richmond 4 27.17x
Southampton St Michael 4 273.97x
Westoe 4 11.00x
Wimbledon 4 33.93x
Calstock 3 62.63x
Lambeth 3 1.60x
Rawmarsh 3 39.74x
Sevenoaks 3 50.34x
Southcoates 3 25.30x
St George Hanover Square 3 7.90x
Aston 2 1.34x
Birmingham 2 1.10x
Carisbrooke 2 32.63x
Folkestone 2 14.02x
Hampstead London 2 5.96x
Hornsey 2 7.34x
Portsea 2 2.31x
West Ham 2 2.13x
Willesden 2 9.84x
Wilshampstead 2 327.87x
Bray 1 21.05x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 1 2.51x
Caterham 1 21.55x
Cheriton 1 33.33x
Clifton 1 4.68x
Coventry St Michael 1 5.73x
Devonport 1 19.38x
Dover St James 1 31.06x
Dudley 1 2.92x
Ealing 1 5.19x
Edinburgh St Marys 1 17.83x
Fittleworth 1 196.08x
Formby 1 34.48x
Hinckley 1 17.64x
Kendal 1 11.53x
Kensington London 1 0.83x
Knodishall 1 303.03x
Leamington Priors 1 7.47x
Liverpool 1 0.64x
Llanhowell 1 1000.00x
Louth 1 12.66x
Merthyr Tydfil 1 2.77x
Monks Coppenhall 1 5.57x
Monks Risborough 1 158.73x
Northwood 1 15.90x
Paddington London 1 1.26x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 2.89x
Rotherhithe 1 3.76x
South Leith 1 3.08x
West Derby 1 1.34x
Woodford 1 20.75x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Cotten surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 17
Elizabeth 14
Emily 7
Sarah 7
Ellen 6
Eliza 4
Agnes 3
Annie 3
Alice 2
Anne 2
Emma 2
Gertrude 2
Helen 2
Isabella 2
Jane 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Maud 2
Rose 2
Amy 1
Ann 1
Anny 1
Aurora 1
B. 1
Beatrice 1
Bertha 1
C. 1
Charlotte 1
Cora 1
Elisth 1
Elisth. 1
Ester 1
Evelyn 1
Fanny 1
Georgiana 1
Hannah 1
Inez 1
Julia 1
Lillian 1
Lilly 1
Louisa 1
Lovey 1
Mabel 1
Maryan 1
Rebecca 1
Ruth 1
Sally 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Cotten surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

FAQ

Cotten surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cotten surname in 1881?

In 1881, 221 people were recorded with the Cotten surname. That placed it at #12,049 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cotten surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 105 in 2016. That gives Cotten a modern rank of #30,114.

What does the Cotten surname mean?

Derived from the Old English word for "cottage," denoting someone who lived in or worked at a cottage.

What does the Cotten map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Cotten bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.