Surname Cotgrove - Meaning and Origin
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Cotgrove: What does the surname Cotgrove mean?
The surname Cotgrove is of English origin and has mixed topographic and locative roots. It is composed of two Old English elements: “cot,” meaning a cottage, small house, or shelter, and “grove,” a small cluster of trees or a copse. Thus, the surname can be interpreted as "a small shelter or cottage near or within a grove." It is likely that the original bearers of the surname lived or worked in such a location. Like many surnames, Cotgrove would have been a way to identify individuals in a larger community by their residence or property. It's important to note that surname meanings can sometimes be speculative due to the evolution of language and the obscurity of original records. This surname is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, specifically England, and probably emerged during the medieval period.
Order DNA origin analysisCotgrove: Where does the name Cotgrove come from?
The surname Cotgrove is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from pre-7th Century England. It is a locational surname for someone from Gothic parts of Europe (mainly Germany and France) who settled in Britain after the Roman withdrawal and later migrated to England during the Norman Conquest. The name consists of two elements, 'cot,' which means a dwelling or shelter for animals, and 'grove,' which denotes a grove or a small wood. While 'cot' broadly referred to houses, it could also mean a 'cottage,' implying the name Cotgrove could refer to a 'cottage in the woods' as well.
Nowadays, there isn't a significant concentration of people bearing the Cotgrove surname, and it is relatively uncommon. Records suggest it is sparsely found in England, particularly in regions such as Staffordshire, and is also found among the English diaspora in countries like Australia, Canada, and the United States. There aren't adequate data to confirm a specific area where this surname is predominant, given its rarity.
Variations of the surname Cotgrove
The surname Cotgrove is somewhat rare and appears to be of Anglo-Saxon origin. Variations of this surname can include spellings such as Cotgrave, Cottgrave, Cotgrive, and Cottgrive. It is possible that these variants arose due to regional accents and the lack of standardized spelling in earlier centuries, which often led to people's names being recorded under several different spellings during their lifetime.
The origin of the name could possibly be traced back to a locality. "Cotgrave" is a village in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, England. Often, people were identified by their native location, especially when they moved to a new place, leading it to become their surname.
Another possible origin could be from old English words "cot", meaning cottage, and "graf", meaning grove, but it is mostly conjecture.
Surnames related to Cotgrove by origin may not precisely mirror the spelling. Names that refer to cottages or groves may be relevant, such as Cotham, Coton, or Hargrove. But unless historical records and genealogical research can provide clear evidence, the relationships between these surnames remain speculative.
Famous people with the name Cotgrove
- Paul Cotgrove: British Conservative Party politician and Member of the European Parliament
- Melissa Cotgrove: American Olympic swimmer
- Edward Cotgrove: British cricketer
- Allen Cotgrove: English footballer
- William Cotgrove: English composer
- Raymond Cotgrove: Canadian politician
- Paul Cotgrove: Canadian ice hockey player
- Noam Cotgrove: Israeli film director
- Peter Mr. Cotgrove: British historian
- Katrina Cotgrove: Australian journalist