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Type Surname (from occupation)
Usage German
Other Forms FormsKothen, Kothe, Kother, Koth, Kötter, Kotter, Kothes

Meaning & History

Derived from German Kate / Kote, originally from Middle Low German kote "small house; hut".
Ever since the 12th century so-called "Koten" were small houses or huts, run by so-called "Kötner", as part of a fief given out by the nobility, the church or monasteries. While the fields and the soil belonged to the feudal lord, the Kötner owned the Kote/house.
Added 8/18/2014 by anonymous
Edited 12/3/2014 by Frollein Gladys