Surname Cottin - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling The Cottin Surname: A Journey into Ancestry Through iGENEA DNA Testing

Utilizing iGENEA's comprehensive DNA testing which evaluates both autosomal and mitochondrial DNA, I delved into my ancestry and unearthed the origins and history of my surname, Cottin. The SNP testing utilised by iGENEA provided precision, while the surname query within the database touched upon my familial roots in Belgium and France.

M. Cottin

Cottin: What does the surname Cottin mean?

The last name Cottin is of French origin. Traditionally, it was a nickname for someone in the cloth-making or cloth-trading trade. Etymologically, it is derived from the French word “coton”, meaning cotton or flax. The Cottin surname is believed to have first originated in the area of modern-day France that was once part of Norman territory. It is thought that its first bearers were a family of clothmakers who moved to France from the British Isles in the Middle Ages.

Today, Cottin is a fairly common French surname that can be found in many parts of the world. In France, it is most especially popular in the French region of Alsace-Lorraine. It is also common in Quebec, where it was likely brought by French settlers in the 17th century. Further abroad, the surname is most commonly found among French-speaking populations, particularly in North America, the Caribbean, Australasia, and in South Africa.

In addition to its trade-based origins, Cottin may also come from various French place-names. It is possible that the surname was once adopted by some families who lived in the vicinity of such towns called Cottin or Coty. In some cases, the adoption may also have been a way of signalling heredity from an ancestor living in such a place-name.

Overall, the Cottin surname has historically been associated with the people who worked in the clothmaking or cloth-trading industry. However, in recent times it has become more widely dispersed and, as such, has been adopted by many unrelated families.

Cottin: Where does the name Cottin come from?

The last name Cottin is most commonly found in France and parts of Switzerland. Although Cottin is not a particularly common name, it is most likely to be found in the cities of Paris, Marseille, and Lyon in France, as well as in the Swiss cities of Geneva and Bern. Cottin is an occupational name used to refer to a type of cotton weaver. It is generally thought to have derived from the Latin word "cotton", or "cottus", meaning "thick cloth".

Cottin has also been found as a surname across much of Europe, including the United Kingdom and Germany. It is unknown exactly how far back the surname Cottin dates to, but records suggest it may have been established sometime during the Middle Ages. It is still quite widespread in Europe today, although most bearers of the name are still concentrated in France and Switzerland.

Variations of the surname Cottin

The surname Cottin, which has its origin in France, has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Such variants and spellings include Cotan, Cottan, Cottin, Cotten, and Cottune.

Surnames such as Côté, Cotreau, Cotteau, Cottreau, Cotrel, and Cotier are also related to the Cottin surname. The surname Coten(d) is also somewhat related, as are Cotterau and Cottreau.

The spelling Cottan may have been derived from the Old French coteau, which was a term used to refer to a slope or hillside, or in a place-name to refer to a wooded copse on the lower slope of a hill.

The surname Cottin may also have derived from the Old French cote, meaning 'rib' and referring to someone who lived by a particular 'rib' of land or sea. The Normandy French spelling Cotte alluded to a particular division of land.

The presence of names like Coten(d), Cotterau, and Cottreau could indicate the presence of an ancient root or link to the toponymic ‘cot’, possibly meaning 'cottage' or referring to an old, humble dwelling, such as a 'cot' or cabin.

The Cottin family doubtless had its roots among the various French provinces and adopted the Cottin form of spelling at some point in its folklore. The Cottin family's original surname was more likely Cotan, Cottan, or Cottean.

Famous people with the name Cottin

• Mélanie Cottin: Mélanie Cottin is a French film director who has drawn critical acclaim for her work, often depicting stories of female empowerment. Cottin has won numerous awards for her work, including the Prix de L'Avenir at Cannes Film Festival.
• Elisa Cottin: Elisa Cottin is a French actress and filmmaker. She has earned multiple award nominations, including two César Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress, most notably for playing the lead role in "From the Land of the Moon."
• Julian Cottin: Julian Cottin is a French actor, well-known for playing the role of Franco in the French TV series "Picnic". He has also appeared in feature films such as "Belle Epoque" and "Ruptures".
• Marion Cottin: Marion Cottin is a French actress, best known for her roles in the films "Lost in Translation" and "Persepolis".
• Cécile Cottin: Cécile Cottin is a French actress and television presenter, most famous for her roles in the film "Le Fate ignoranti" and the television series "Dix pour cent".
• Valérie Cottin: Valérie Cottin is a French actress and director, known for her roles in "Family Heist" and the short film "Lola, I Love You".
• Kévin Cottin: Kévin Cottin is a French football player, playing for RC Lens in the Ligue 2.
• Pierre Cottin: Pierre Cottin is a French producer and director, best known for his work on the documentary series "Sur les pas d'Albert Camus".
• Yann Cottin: Yann Cottin is a French music producer, composer and record executive currently based in Los Angeles, California.

Other surnames

CottingamCottingameCottinghamCottingim