This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Cottam family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Cottam Family History

Cottam Surname Meaning

English (Midlands and northern England): variant of Cotton.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Cottam family from?

You can see how Cottam families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Cottam family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Cottam families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 1,106 Cottam families living in Lancashire. This was about 53% of all the recorded Cottam's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Cottam families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Cottam surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Cottam ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Cottam. 10% of Cottam men worked as a General Labourer and 67% of Cottam women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Cottam were Joiner and Housewife.

View Census Data for Cottam | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    10%
  • Incapacitated
    8%
  • Farmer
    5%
  • Joiner
    5%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    67%
  • Cotton Weaver
    4%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    3%
  • Housewife
    2%

What Cottam family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 30,000 census records available for the last name Cottam. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Cottam census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Cottam

Passenger Lists

There are 2,000 immigration records available for the last name Cottam. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Cottam immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 2,000 military records available for the last name Cottam. For the veterans among your Cottam ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Cottam military records

You've only scratched the surface of Cottam family history

Discover More

What is the average Cottam lifespan?

Between 1945 and 2004, in the United States, Cottam life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1961, and highest in 1988. The average life expectancy for Cottam in 1945 was 58, and 82 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Cottam

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Cottam ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Cottam family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial