NameCensus.

UK surname

Cottier

A surname derived from an occupational term referring to a tenant farmer or cottager.

In the 1881 census there were 183 people recorded with the Cottier surname, ranking it #13,596 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 315, ranked #14,258, down from #13,596 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolstanton, Toxteth Park and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Copeland, Wirral and Central Bedfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cottier is 357 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 72.1%.

1881 census count

183

Ranked #13,596

Modern count

315

2016, ranked #14,258

Peak year

1998

357 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cottier had 183 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,596 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 315 in 2016, ranked #14,258.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 308 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Cottier surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cottier surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cottier 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 79 #19,712
1861 historical 98 #21,388
1881 historical 183 #13,596
1891 historical 203 #14,754
1901 historical 291 #11,893
1911 historical 308 #11,230
1997 modern 343 #12,349
1998 modern 357 #12,372
1999 modern 343 #12,800
2000 modern 337 #12,901
2001 modern 333 #12,817
2002 modern 353 #12,512
2003 modern 351 #12,389
2004 modern 353 #12,377
2005 modern 344 #12,521
2006 modern 332 #12,970
2007 modern 340 #12,872
2008 modern 341 #12,958
2009 modern 351 #12,940
2010 modern 356 #13,071
2011 modern 356 #12,943
2012 modern 321 #13,836
2013 modern 323 #14,003
2014 modern 319 #14,216
2015 modern 314 #14,275
2016 modern 315 #14,258

Geography

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Where Cottiers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolstanton, Toxteth Park, Liverpool, Dalton-in-Furness and West Derby. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Copeland, Wirral and Central Bedfordshire. 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 Wolstanton Staffordshire
2 Toxteth Park Lancashire
3 Liverpool Lancashire
4 Dalton-in-Furness Lancashire
5 West Derby Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Copeland 005 Copeland
2 Copeland 003 Copeland
3 Copeland 004 Copeland
4 Wirral 041 Wirral
5 Central Bedfordshire 012 Central Bedfordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cottier

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cottier

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Cottier, 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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Cottier is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Cottier is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Cottier falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Cottier is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Cottier

The surname Cottier originated in France, likely during the medieval period. It derives from the Old French word "cotier," meaning a peasant who paid rent for a cottage or small dwelling. This name initially referred to individuals who lived in cottages or small houses, often on the land of a feudal lord or landowner.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Cottier can be found in historical records from various regions of France, such as Normandy and Brittany. Some sources suggest that the name may have appeared in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and tenants in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086.

One notable individual with the surname Cottier was Jean Cottier, a French painter and engraver born in 1608 in Tours, France. His works included religious paintings and engravings, and he was known for his intricate details and skillful use of light and shadow.

Another historical figure was Philippe Cottier, a 17th-century French architect who contributed to the design and construction of various buildings in Paris, including the Church of Saint-Sulpice and the Château de Versailles.

In the 19th century, François Cottier, a Swiss-born priest and theologian, gained recognition for his writings on Catholic doctrine and his work as a professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

The surname Cottier has also been associated with several notable individuals in the field of literature. One such figure was Georges Cottier, a 20th-century French writer and poet born in 1922 in Lyon, France. He published numerous works of poetry and was recognized for his contributions to French literature.

Another literary figure was Marie Cottier, a Swiss author born in 1887. She wrote several novels and short stories, often exploring themes of family, relationships, and the complexities of human emotion.

While the surname Cottier has its origins in France, it has since spread to other parts of Europe and beyond, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cottier families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cottier 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. Isle of Man leads with 238 Cottiers recorded in 1881 and an index of 311.31x.

County Total Index
Isle of Man 238 311.31x
Lancashire 112 2.29x
Cumberland 25 7.05x
Cheshire 15 1.65x
Yorkshire 8 0.20x
Surrey 7 0.35x
Somerset 6 0.91x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.90x
Middlesex 3 0.07x
Argyllshire 1 0.87x
Berkshire 1 0.32x
Channel Islands 1 0.82x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Onchan in Isle of Man leads with 81 Cottiers recorded in 1881 and an index of 367.85x.

Place Total Index
Onchan 81 367.85x
Lezayre 40 1166.18x
Maughold 24 406.78x
Everton 21 13.49x
Patrick 17 455.76x
Toxteth Park 17 10.28x
Liverpool 15 5.06x
Andreas 14 676.33x
Kirkdale 12 14.60x
Ballaugh 9 661.76x
Braddan 8 191.39x
Dalton In Furness 8 42.42x
German 8 191.85x
Hulme 8 7.84x
Tranmere 8 23.95x
Ardwick 7 15.89x
Lambeth 7 1.95x
Liscard 7 42.76x
Thorne 7 138.34x
Birkdale 6 48.54x
Bride 6 576.92x
Bridekirk 6 212.01x
German Peel 6 136.36x
Lonan 6 129.59x
Marown 6 428.57x
Bridgewater 5 27.79x
Great Crosby 5 37.54x
Michael 5 322.58x
Seaton 5 121.07x
Arnold 4 49.38x
Camerton 4 800.00x
Jurby 4 434.78x
Brigham 3 179.64x
Harrington 3 70.09x
Padiham 3 25.42x
Preston 3 2.30x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 2.58x
Allhallows 1 96.15x
Douglas 1 90.09x
Dunoon Kilmun 1 11.19x
Gate Fulford 1 10.49x
Malew 1 14.97x
Minehead 1 40.00x
Moss Side 1 3.89x
North Meols 1 2.09x
Nottingham St Mary 1 0.70x
Paddington London 1 0.66x
Reading St Giles 1 3.30x
Rushen 1 19.34x
St Anne 1 121.95x
St Cuthbert W O Carleton 1 102.04x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.38x
St Helier 1 2.52x
St Marylebone London 1 0.46x
Wavertree 1 6.39x
West Derby 1 0.70x
Wigan 1 1.47x
Wigton 1 18.83x
Workington 1 4.93x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Margaret 19
Mary 16
Elizabeth 15
Jane 14
Eliza 10
Catherine 8
Christian 8
Sarah 8
Eleanor 7
Ann 6
Emily 6
Esther 6
Annie 5
Alice 4
Frances 4
Isabella 4
Charlotte 3
Clara 3
Edith 3
Ellen 3
Harriet 3
Margt. 3
Martha 3
Annette 2
Caroline 2
Florence 2
H. 2
Lucy 2
Mabel 2
Maria 2
Rhoda 2
Susannah 2
Amy 1
Bessy 1
C.A. 1
Christania 1
Elise 1
Eliza.M. 1
Ella 1
Emma 1
Ester 1
Eva 1
Ida 1
Isabetta 1
Jessie 1
Katherine 1
Laura 1
Letitia 1
Lilly 1
Louisa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 40
William 31
Thomas 27
Robert 19
James 12
Edward 10
Walter 7
Henry 5
Charles 4
Francis 3
George 3
Joseph 3
Philip 3
Wm. 3
Arthur 2
Frank 2
Hugh 2
Alexander 1
Alfred 1
Benjamin 1
Caesor 1
Ceaser 1
Chs. 1
Clues 1
Constantine 1
Edwin 1
Emmanuel 1
Eugene 1
Evan 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Herbert 1
Jno. 1
Josh. 1
Leonard 1
Louis 1
Oscar 1
Reginald 1
S. 1
Stanley 1
Thos.A. 1
Tom 1
W. 1
Wilfred 1

FAQ

Cottier surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cottier surname in 1881?

In 1881, 183 people were recorded with the Cottier surname. That placed it at #13,596 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cottier surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 315 in 2016. That gives Cottier a modern rank of #14,258.

What does the Cottier surname mean?

A surname derived from an occupational term referring to a tenant farmer or cottager.

What does the Cottier map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Cottier 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.