Cottier is a surname. It is of English origin, but can also be an Americanized form of a French and Swiss surname.

Origin of the surname

The surname Cottier is of English origin and a variant of the surname Cotter.^[1] This English surname is a status name, for a cotter. This name is made up of the Old English elements cot "cottage", "hut" and the suffix er. In the feudal system a cotter held a cottage by service (rather than by rent).^[2] Similarly, Reaney gives the surname deriving from the Old French cotier "cottager" (see: villein). Early bearers of the English surname are Robert le Robert le Cotier in 1198; and William le Coter(e) in 1270 and 1297.^[3]

The surname Cottier, in some cases, is an Americanized form of the French Gauthier.^[1] The French surname Gauthier (also found in Switzerland) is derived from a Germanic personal name made up of the elements wald "rule" and hari, heri "army".^[4]

Variations

The surname can be rendered into the Irish language and the Manx language as Mac Coitir and Mac Oitir.

People with the surname

• Alex Cottier (born 1973), an English former international footballer.
• Anton Cottier (1943-2006), a Swiss politician.
• Belva Cottier (1920–2000), a Rosebud Sioux activist and social worker.
• Charles Cottier (born 1992), an Australian actor.
• Daniel Cottier (1837-1891), a Scottish artist and stained glass designer.
• Chuck Cottier, (born 1936), an American former baseball player.
• Frédéric Cottier (born 1954), a French equestrian and Olympic medalist.
• Georges Cottier, (1922-2016), a Swiss Cardinal.
• Gérald Cottier (born 1931), a Swiss basketball player.
• Pierre Cottier (born 1908, date of death unknown), a Swiss weightlifter.

References