Surname Ottery - Meaning and Origin

Ottery: What does the surname Ottery mean?

The surname Ottery is thought to have derived from a geographic location, specifically the town of Ottery St Mary in Devon, England. Surnames often originated from locations where families resided. As such, the last name Ottery might imply ancestors of the family once lived or came from this region. It is also possible that it could trace back to an occupational name linked to the term “otter," referring to a person who hunted otters. However, its exact etymology is uncertain as surname origins can be complex and influenced by various factors including migration, change of language and cultural evolution. Like many surnames, distributions have dispersed over centuries of time, and individuals with this surname can now be found in various countries worldwide. Overall, the surname Ottery offers a glimpse into the history, movement and occupation of a lineage.

Ottery: Where does the name Ottery come from?

The surname Ottery is believed to be of English origin, linked to the place-name Ottery, derived from two old English words "ote" (otter) and "ie" (water), suggestive of a place where otters dwell. Two places in England are named Ottery: Ottery St Mary and Ottery St Catchpole. Hence, the last name may have started as a way to identify people coming from these areas.

One of the earliest recordings of this surname is found in Devon, England dating back to the 14th century. Like many other English surnames, it would have dispersed more widely following the era of British colonialism. Yet, it remains an uncommon surname, and it is difficult to find specific regions where it is notably prevalent today.

The advent of globalized digital records and ancestry research may have enabled those bearing the Ottery surname to connect to their English roots. However, given its low frequency, it is likely spread thinly across English-speaking countries such as the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It would be difficult to pinpoint a region where the surname is particularly common without comprehensive and recent demographic data.

Variations of the surname Ottery

The surname Ottery is of English origin and is derived from a place name. Variants and alternative spellings of this surname traced from the ancestral records could include Ottery, Ottrey, Otter, Ottey, Ottie, Otte, Otterie and Otery.

These variations occurred often mainly because medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, therefore spelling varied according to the regional dialect and the literacy of the person taking the record.

It’s also possible for spelling variations to develop based on phonetic differences (like "y" being changed to "ie" or "ey") over generations. Also, the form of the surname can change depending on the language of the country where descendants have settled.

It is also worth noting that some of these variations may also be surnames in their own right with separate origins. For example, the surname "Otter" might not necessarily have the same origin as "Ottery", as it could also derive from the animal’s name.

It's recommended that individual genealogical research be done to confirm a direct link between these surnames and their origins.

Famous people with the name Ottery

• Paul Ottery: South African middle-distance runner and Olympian
• Dayne Ottery: South African cricketer
• Rick Ottery: New Zealand radio presenter
• Steve Ottery: English former footballer
• Matthew Ottery: English-born theatre director and academic
• George Ottery: South African actor
• Tyrone Ottery: South African rugby union player
• Allen Ottery: South African cricketer
• Hayley Ottery: Australian darts player
• John Ottery: Irish-born gardener and collector

Other surnames

Otter