OTTAWAY
Ottaway
The surname Ottaway is of English origin and traces its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to be of locational origin, deriving from the Old English words "ot", meaning "a brood of young birds", and "weg", meaning "a road" or "a path". This suggests that the surname originally denoted someone who lived near a place where young birds were found.
The Ottaway surname is primarily found in the southern counties of England, particularly in Sussex. Variants of the surname include Otway and Otey.
Notable bearers of the Ottaway surname include Henry Ottaway, a renowned British architect known for his work in the 19th century, and James Ottaway Jr., an American media executive with ancestral roots in the United Kingdom.
Today, individuals with the surname Ottaway can be found across the United Kingdom and in various parts of the world, reflecting the diaspora of British immigrants over the centuries. The surname continues to be passed down through generations, maintaining its place in British genealogy and history.
There are approximately 1,070 people named Ottaway in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,007th most common surname in Britain. Around 16 in a million people in Britain are named Ottaway.
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
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Stephen
Female
- Alison
- Christine
- Doreen
- Jacqueline
- Janet
- Jeanette
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Michelle
- Nicola
- Rebecca
- Samantha
- Sarah