As described in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

This name affords several derivations. Local, Welsh, Coedton, the woody hill; Coiton, Cuiton, Cor. Br.; Cwtton, Welsh, the cottage hill. Cotden, Saxon, the cot in the valley; Cwthen, Welsh, the ancient cottage or dwelling.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.


Patronymica Britannica (1860)

COTTON. Cottun, a place in the department of Calvados in Normandy ; also several parishes in the counties of York, Chester, Staft'ord, &c. Both forms, viz. De Cottun, and De Cotton, are foimd in the H.R. The Eng. Gazetteer gives many places called Cotton. Lord Combermere's family trace unbrokenly to the days of King John, aud there is some evidence of then' having been seated at Cotton or Coton, CO. Salop, prior to the Conquest. COTTON. \Ir. Shirley, speaking of Cotton of Landwade, Baronet, says : "It appears doubtful whether this family wece denominated from Cotton, a manor in Cambridgeshire, or from a place of the same name in the parish of Stone, in Kent. There is another Cotton Hall, in Ixning, CO. Suftblk, which lays claim to the same distinction." Xoble and Gentle Men. B COUNTIES, Names of.'' The following additional surnames derived from counties have been met with : — Auglesea, Shropshire, Warwickshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Northumberland.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.


Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

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