Find out how popular the last name Cotten is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Cotten.

Cotten, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Cotten surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Cotten in America

Cotten is the 6015th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Cotten surname appeared 5,719 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Cotten.

We can also compare 2010 data for Cotten to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Cotten

The surname Cotten has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "cot," which referred to a small dwelling or a hut. This suggests that the name may have initially been given to someone who lived in a modest cottage or a small house.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Cotten can be found in the Domesday Book, a survey of lands and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Cotte" in this historical document, indicating its existence in England during the 11th century.

In the 12th century, the surname Cotten emerged in various parts of England, including Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and Gloucestershire. It was also associated with several place names, such as Cotton in Cheshire and Cotton Abbots in Warwickshire, further solidifying its connection to the Old English word for a small dwelling.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Cotten throughout history include Sir Robert Bruce Cotton (1571-1631), an English antiquarian and the founder of the famous Cotton library, now part of the British Library. Another prominent figure was William Cotton (1786-1866), a renowned English actor and playwright who graced the stages of London's theaters during the 19th century.

In the United States, the surname Cotten gained recognition with the acclaimed actress Jennifer Cotten (1937-1995), known for her roles in films such as "The Delicate Delinquent" and "The Deep." Additionally, John Cotten (1784-1826), an American politician from North Carolina, served as a member of the United States House of Representatives.

Across the Atlantic, the name Cotten also has a presence in France, where it is sometimes spelled as "Cotton." One notable figure was Charles Cotton (1630-1687), an English poet and writer who spent a significant portion of his life in France and is best known for his translations of the works of Horace and Lucian.

Throughout its history, the surname Cotten has undergone various spelling variations, including Cotton, Cottan, and Cottin, reflecting the fluidity of names during different time periods and regional influences. However, the essence of the name remains rooted in its humble beginnings, reflecting the modest dwellings of its early bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Cotten

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Cotten.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Cotten was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Cotten has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Cotten was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cotten, please contact us.

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