UK surname
A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Cottingham or another location with a similar name.
In the 1881 census there were 48 people recorded with the Cotts surname, ranking it #26,869 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 35, ranked #35,703, down from #26,869 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wood Norton, Monkwearmouth and St John Hackney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cotts is 141 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 27.1%.
1881 census count
48
Ranked #26,869
Modern count
35
2016, ranked #35,703
Peak year
1861
141 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Cotts surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Cotts surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 28 | #28,274 |
| 1861 | historical | 141 | #16,072 |
| 1881 | historical | 48 | #26,869 |
| 1891 | historical | 81 | #26,632 |
| 1901 | historical | 55 | #28,064 |
| 1911 | historical | 55 | #27,313 |
| 1997 | modern | 31 | #34,582 |
| 1998 | modern | 30 | #34,833 |
| 1999 | modern | 30 | #34,939 |
| 2000 | modern | 30 | #34,885 |
| 2001 | modern | 30 | #34,753 |
| 2002 | modern | 35 | #34,554 |
| 2003 | modern | 36 | #34,522 |
| 2004 | modern | 35 | #34,783 |
| 2005 | modern | 35 | #34,982 |
| 2006 | modern | 38 | #35,003 |
| 2007 | modern | 37 | #35,215 |
| 2008 | modern | 39 | #35,191 |
| 2009 | modern | 36 | #35,496 |
| 2010 | modern | 34 | #35,730 |
| 2011 | modern | 34 | #35,705 |
| 2012 | modern | 35 | #35,645 |
| 2013 | modern | 38 | #35,534 |
| 2014 | modern | 35 | #35,722 |
| 2015 | modern | 37 | #35,593 |
| 2016 | modern | 35 | #35,703 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wood Norton, Monkwearmouth, St John Hackney, Tynron and Sanquhar. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wood Norton | Norfolk |
| 2 | Monkwearmouth | Durham |
| 3 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Tynron | Dumfries |
| 5 | Sanquhar | Dumfries |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Cotts surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Cotts, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Cotts surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Cotts household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Cotts is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Cotts is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Cotts, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Cotts has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 11th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English word "cot," which referred to a small cottage or dwelling. This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have lived in or near a small hut or cottage.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Cotte." This important historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, recorded the names of landowners and their holdings across England.
During the Middle Ages, the surname Cotts began to spread across various regions of England. It was particularly prevalent in the counties of Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Yorkshire, where variations such as "Cotes" and "Cottes" were commonly used.
Notable individuals with the surname Cotts include Sir Roger Cotts (1529-1598), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Lincolnshire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. In the literary world, William Cotts (1638-1695) was an English writer and poet, known for his works on religious and moral themes.
Moving forward in time, Samuel Cotts (1768-1842) was a prominent British architect who designed several churches and public buildings in London. His most notable work is the Church of St. Dunstan-in-the-West, which still stands today.
During the 19th century, John Cotts (1815-1892) made a name for himself as a pioneering engineer. He played a crucial role in the construction of some of the earliest steam-powered railways in Britain, contributing significantly to the development of transportation infrastructure.
Another individual worth mentioning is Mary Cotts (1876-1962), a renowned educator and advocate for women's rights. She founded several schools and organizations dedicated to promoting education and empowerment for women, leaving a lasting impact on the feminist movement of her time.
While these are just a few examples, the surname Cotts has a rich history dating back centuries, with its origins firmly rooted in the English countryside. The name has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including politicians, writers, architects, engineers, and social activists, each leaving their mark on the tapestry of history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cotts surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 15 Cotts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.50x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 15 | 3.50x |
| Dumfriesshire | 11 | 116.03x |
| Norfolk | 8 | 12.12x |
| Lincolnshire | 5 | 7.29x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.49x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.57x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.73x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 1.91x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.24x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sanquhar in Dumfriesshire leads with 11 Cotts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3333.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Sanquhar | 11 | 3333.33x |
| Wood Norton | 6 | 15000.00x |
| St Botolph Aldgate London | 5 | 568.18x |
| Whaplode Drove | 5 | 4166.67x |
| St Pancras London | 4 | 11.58x |
| All Hallows Lombard | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 9.87x |
| Elsing | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Halifax | 1 | 16.03x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 9.46x |
| Keyworth | 1 | 769.23x |
| Little Ryburgh | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Newcastle On Tyne St | 1 | 30.21x |
| Newmarket St Mary | 1 | 250.00x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 6.34x |
| Pilsley | 1 | 454.55x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 1 | 40.65x |
| West Drayton | 1 | 666.67x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Cotts surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Cotts surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Cotts households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Porter | 2 |
| Scollah | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Agriculter Labour | 1 |
| Agrl Labourer | 1 |
| Business Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Domes Servt | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Gen (Serv) | 1 |
| Grocers Servant | 1 |
| House Maid | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Kitchenmaid | 1 |
| Retired Banker | 1 |
| Waiting Maid (Dom) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 48 people were recorded with the Cotts surname. That placed it at #26,869 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 35 in 2016. That gives Cotts a modern rank of #35,703.
A surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone from Cottingham or another location with a similar name.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Cotts bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.