Hotchkiss

Hotchkiss is an English surname of Old French origin, derived from the medieval personal name "Otokar." The surname has its origins in the 11th century and is mainly concentrated in the West Midlands and South West regions of England.

The name "Hotchkiss" has several variations including Hotchkis and Hotchkies. It may have been brought to England by Norman settlers after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The spelling of the surname has evolved over the centuries, influenced by different regional dialects and pronunciation patterns.

People bearing the surname Hotchkiss have made significant contributions in various fields. Notably, the Hotchkiss family is known for its involvement in gunsmithing and artillery manufacturing in Britain during the 19th and 20th centuries. The Hotchkiss gun, a line of artillery and naval guns named after its American designer Benjamin B. Hotchkiss, was widely used in military operations during that period.

Today, the surname Hotchkiss is relatively uncommon but still retains historical significance due to the family's legacy in the field of arms manufacturing. Multiple variations of the name can be found worldwide, particularly in regions with historical ties to the British Empire.

In contemporary times, individuals with the surname Hotchkiss are diverse in their occupations and interests, reflecting the evolution of the family name over generations. The lineage of the Hotchkiss family continues to be a subject of interest for genealogists and historians, adding to the rich tapestry of British surnames and their heritage.

There are approximately 1,502 people named Hotchkiss in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,337th most common surname in Britain. Around 23 in a million people in Britain are named Hotchkiss.

Surname type: From name of parent

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Anthony
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Keith
  • Mark
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Robert
  • Thomas
  • Timothy
  • William

Female

  • Cassandra
  • Elizabeth
  • Helen
  • Janet
  • Jean
  • Joan
  • Julie
  • Laura
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Sally
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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