What is cotter surname?

The surname Cotter is of English and Irish origin. In England, it is a habitational name that originally referred to someone from any of the various places called Cott(e) or Coote, such as Coote in Nottinghamshire or Cott in Cheshire. In Ireland, it is an anglicization of the Gaelic name Mac Oitir, which means “son of Oitir,” a personal name meaning “lucky.”

The name Cotter is relatively rare, ranking at around 10,000th in the list of most common surnames in the United States. However, it is more commonly found in Ireland, where it is ranked 532nd. Famous people with the surname Cotter include:

• Barry Cotter, Irish football player
• John Cotter, American soldier and Medal of Honor recipient
• Robert Cotter, Australian politician
• Thomas Cotter, American comedian

Overall, the Cotter surname has a long history and is associated with both England and Ireland.