indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
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.
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.