Surname Cote - Meaning and Origin

Exploring the Emotional Depths of My Ancestry With iGENEA: Tracing the 'Cote' Surname to Its Roots

With iGENEA, I embarked on an emotionally enriching exploration of my ancestry, tracing the roots of my surname 'Cote' back to France. This journey unfolded layers of my family history, prompting introspection, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for my lineage.

B. Cote

Cote: What does the surname Cote mean?

The surname Cote is of French origin and translates to "side" or "coast" in English. It often referred to a person who lived by a hillside or a bank of some sort. It could also potentially refer to someone living on the coast, near a slope, or at the edge of a body of water. The name could also have possibly been topographical, given to someone who lived by a prominent hill, ridge, or sea coast. The surname Cote might also stem from the Old French 'cote', which means 'rib' or 'side', and could have been a nickname for someone with a peculiar shape. There are variants of this surname as well, such as Coté, Côté, or de la Côte. It is relatively common in French-speaking regions such as France, Canada, and parts of the United States. Over time, many people with this surname have migrated, causing the surname to spread to different parts of the world.

Cote: Where does the name Cote come from?

The surname Cote has French origins and is derived from the Old French term "cote", which means "rib", "side", or "coast". This name was often given to someone living on a hillside, or by a river bank. It was also used as a nickname for a thin person. The name could also originate from the Southern French 'còsta', which means a slope or a hillside, given to someone who lived on a slope or hillside.

In addition to France, Cote is an especially common surname in Canada, due to the significant French population that resettled there, particularly in Quebec. Following Canada, the surname is also frequently found in the United States. Sometimes in these English-speaking locations, the surname is presented with an acute accent on the "e" making it “Côté”. Essentially, though Cote has a French origin, its global colonial exposure has made it common in different parts of the world today.

Variations of the surname Cote

The surname Cote originated from the French word 'côte', meaning 'side' or 'flank'. It is usually of topographic origin, given originally to someone who lived on a slope or a hillside.

Here are some variants of the surname: Cotte, Cotet, Cotin, Cotis, Cotie, Coté, Coto, and Coty. The name has also spread to other countries, and may have different adaptations in different regions.

Among the Americanized versions are: Coates, Coat, Cott, Kott, Kote, and Koates. In England, the name also exists as Cotes and Coates. The Spanish variant is Cota, while some Portuguese versions include Costa and Da Costa.

The last name is common in French-speaking countries like France, Canada (especially Quebec), and Belgium. In Quebec, "vanier" was added to some surnames, hence Cote-Vanier is also a possibility.

In the interest of noting a different origin, although pronounced the same, the American surname Coates has an English origin and was applied to those who lived in a minor settlement or a cottage. Some variants of this might include Coats or Coate. However, this should not be confused with the earlier discussed Cote, despite the similarity in pronunciation.

Famous people with the name Cote

• Pablo Cote: Colombian footballer who currently plays for La Equidad.
• Michel Cote: Canadian actor and playwright known for his roles in films such as "Cruising Bar" and the television series "Omerta".
• Patsy Cote: Judge of the Canadian Federal Court.
• Cote de Pablo: Chilean-American actress known for her role as Ziva David on the American TV series "NCIS".
• Eric Cote: Canadian politician and the 37th Mayor of Quebec City.
• Emily Cote: American actress who is best known for her role in the "Star Trek: New Voyages" series.
• Brent Cote: Former professional ice hockey player from Canada.
• Nicole Stoffman (née Cote): Canadian actress and jazz singer.
• Natalie Cote: Professional poker player from Quebec, Canada.
• JC Cote: Professional French rugby union player.
• Jean-Pierre Cote: Canadian politician who served as the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Quebec.
• Jonathan Cote: Canadian politician and the mayor of New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.
• Sara Cote: Professional Canadian soccer player who has represented Canada at the international stage.

Other surnames

CotanayCoteneyCotesCotgraveCotgreaveCotgroveCothamCotnerCotneyCotonCotronCottamCottenCottenghamCottengimCotterCotterellCottinCottingamCottingameCottinghamCottingimCottleCottonCottongimCottonhamCottynghamCottyr