Mothe

Mothe is a proper noun that can refer to several related topics in the French-speaking world. As a surname, Mothe is of French origin and likely originated as a toponymic surname, given to people who lived near a mound or raised earthwork. Variants include de Mothe or de la Mothe, and it is related to the common toponymic element motte or la Mothe found in many places in France.

In toponymy, Mothe appears in the names of multiple French localities. The element denotes a mound, hill, or earthwork that historically supported fortifications or dwellings. In many cases, Mothe in a place name signals an origin dating from the medieval or early-modern period. Because France contains numerous communes and hamlets with similar elements, the exact identity of a given Mothe location depends on its department and historical records.

In a broader historical sense, the English term motte refers to an earthwork used in the construction of motte-and-bailey castles; the French term motte has an equivalent meaning, and the spelling Mothe is sometimes encountered in older or variant spellings of place names.

The name Mothe may be encountered in genealogical records and surname registries, and persons with this surname can be found in France and in diaspora communities around the world. The precise significance of Mothe as a place name or surname varies by individual family history and locality.