Surname Kottermair - Meaning and Origin

Kottermair: What does the surname Kottermair mean?

Kottermair is a German surname that comes from two individual German words: "Kott" meaning cottage or hut, and "Mair" meaning mayor. It's a topographic surname, which means that it was likely given to someone who lived close to a small shelter or dwelling. This could have referred to a village leader, who resided close to a cottage. In terms of traditional meanings, the name could have come to represent a sense of power or authority.

The first recorded use of the surname was during the 15th century, when a family of this name occupied a landholding in Bavaria. During this time, Germany was a monarchy with a strong feudal system. Those with the surname were likely part of the aristocracy or gentry, and were given authority and power due to their wealth and position in society.

Over time, the Kottermair surname has spread throughout Europe, primarily in parts of Germany and France. Most persons bearing the name are likely descended from the original family, though there is also a possibility of having adopted the name after learning of its meaning and history.

Although the original meaning may be forgotten, the Kottermair surname is still an interesting example of how names change over time and carry with them a deep significance. People with the name can continue to view pride in their family history, knowing that their name has remained prominent and respected for centuries.

Kottermair: Where does the name Kottermair come from?

The last name Kottermair is most commonly found in Germany today. It is an old German surname—it dates back to the Middle Ages. According to the Schwäbische Genealogische Datenbank, a genealogical database of southwest Germany, the surname originated in the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany.

Around the beginning of the 20th century, many people bearing the surname Kottermair migrated from Germany to other places, so the presence of the surname outside of Germany is not uncommon. According to the US Census Bureau, approximately 39,800 people who had the surname immigrated to the United States between 1880 and 1940. There are more than 2,720 people living in the United Kingdom with the last name Kottermair as of 2021, according to the United Kingdom Genealogy website.

The surname is still quite popular in Germany today. There are more than 12,000 people in Germany with the last name Kottermair as of 2021, according to the Deutsche Telekom AG directory website. The majority of public records for those with the last name Kottermair reside in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, followed by Bavaria and North Rhine–Westphalia.

In conclusion, the last name Kottermair is most commonly found in Germany today, although people with this last name have migrated to other parts of the world. People with the last name Kottermair can be found in major cities in Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Variations of the surname Kottermair

Kottermair is a German surname which originally stems from Bavaria. It can be spelled in various ways, including Köttermair, Köttermeyr and Kottermayer. Many of the variants have been adapted and changed over time due to anglicisation and pronunciation variations. Some variants have been altered to Kottamayr, Kottemair, Kottmeyer, Kottmayer and Kottmair.

The surname is derived from the Germanic personal name "Koetar" or the term "koeteren" meaning “to chirp”, signifying someone who speaks oddly or with a lisp. It could also be derived from the Middle High German word "Cotmer" meaning one who places a cot or bed.

The various spellings of the name can often be found interchanged in different records. This is due to the various ways of writing a word in the spoken language at the time and the variations in pronunciation.

In some cases, the surnames have taken on the form of new surnames due to spelling variations or translations when family members emigrated to other countries. For example, families with the surname Kottermair which emigrated to America often found that the name had been anglicised to Kottmeyer or Kottemeyer.

Regardless of its many adaptations, the surname Kottermair is still recognisable as being a Germanic surname and one with a long and interesting history.

Famous people with the name Kottermair

• Robert Kottermair: German actor and theater director.
• Christoph Kottermair: an Austrian-born German working in the healthcare and biotech industries.
• Astrid Kottermair: German journalist and writer.
• Gabriele Kottermair: an Austrian fashion designer.
• Uli Kottermair: former German professional football and basketball player.
• Ursula Kottermair: a German politician and teacher.
• Dagmar Kottermair: a German actress.
• Hansjoachim Kottermair: a German classical pianist.
• Christopher Kottermair: a German film editor.
• Gerhard Kottermair: an Austrian politician and physician.
• Fabian Kottermair: an Austrian-born German operatic baritone.
• Martin Kottermair: a German entrepreneur and film producer.
• Florian Kottermair: a German architect and designer.
• André Kottermair: a German business executive.
• Dominic Kottermair: an Austrian-born German artist and designer.
• Matthias Kottermair: a German singer and musician.
• Elisabeth Kottermair: a German actor.
• Horst Kottermair: a former German professional football player.
• Hans Kottermair: a former German professional football player.
• Elke Kottermair: a German television presenter.

Other surnames

KottermaierKottermannKottermeier