Surname Cotgrave - Meaning and Origin
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Cotgrave: What does the surname Cotgrave mean?
The surname Cotgrave is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a locational name from a place in Nottinghamshire, England called Cotgrave. The place name itself is derived from Old Norse elements: "Kot", meaning a cottage or a shelter, and "grafi", meaning a grove or a copse. Therefore, the surname Cotgrave can be interpreted to mean "grove of cottages". This type of surname usually developed when a family moved from their original place of residence and took the name of their birthplace as a means of identity. It's also possible that a name like Cotgrave could have been given to the lord of the lands or properties in that area. As with many surnames, variations in spelling can exist based on region and historical context. Over several centuries, the name has carried forward and is found amongst individuals of British heritage today.
Order DNA origin analysisCotgrave: Where does the name Cotgrave come from?
The surname Cotgrave is of English origin and is speculated to have originated from the village named Cotgrave in Nottinghamshire, England. This village has an extensive history dating back to the Domesday Book in 1086. The surname is local-type of surname, derived from the place Cotgrave, perhaps inhabited by the ancestors bearing this surname in the past. It is a toponymic surname from Old English "cot", a cottage or shelter, and "graf", a grove or spinney. So the name refers to those who lived near a small cottage by the woods.
Today, the surname Cotgrave is not particularly common anywhere, due to its scarcity. However, it can still be found in England, particularly in the region surrounding Nottinghamshire. There are also some people with this surname potentially living in different parts of the world such as Australia, Canada, and the United States, possibly due to migration over the centuries. Nonetheless, it remains a relatively unusual surname.
Variations of the surname Cotgrave
Cotgrave is a unique surname with British origins, specifically stemming from a location in Nottinghamshire, England. The surname essentially means "cottage grove".
Variant spellings for Cotgrave are relatively uncommon due to its unique root and geographical specificity. However, similar sounding but distinct surnames include Cutgrave, Catgrave, and Cotgrove. Historically, spelling variations of surnames were common because translating languages often necessitate modifications, both in spelling and in pronunciation. Therefore, it's possible other forms of the name could have emerged over centuries. Moreover, variant surnames are also likely to appear in written records due to historical changes in the English language and its dialects.
Please note that while these variant surnames might sound similar, they may not share the same etymological origin as Cotgrave, which is specifically tied to a place in Nottinghamshire. Determining any true variants or related surnames would likely require deep genealogical research and could depend upon specific family lines and their histories. The unique specificity associated with British surnames like Cotgrave can make it challenging to establish a comprehensive list of variations.
Famous people with the name Cotgrave
The most notable person with the last name Cotgrave is likely Randle Cotgrave, an English lexicographer from the 17th century known for his French-English dictionaries. His most famous work, titled "A Dictionarie of the French and English Tongues," was published in 1611 and was one of the most comprehensive French-to-English dictionaries of the time. Based on publicly available sources, there does not appear to be other famously recognized individuals with the last name Cotgrave. Keep in mind that individuals may change or shorten their last name for a variety of professional or personal reasons, so there may be other notable people with Cotgrave as a family name not included in this list.