Skotte

Skotte is a term used in Danish and Norwegian to denote a person from Scotland; in these languages it functions as a straightforward demonym comparable to the English term Scot. The word appears in historical and contemporary texts to refer to people from Scotland, and its usage can convey neutral or descriptive meaning depending on context. In earlier sources, skotte commonly appears in ethnographic, travel, and trade writings as a label for individuals or groups originating from Scotland.

As a surname, Skotte occurs in Scandinavian family names, particularly in Denmark and Norway. It may derive from ethnonymic origins, naming a person with Scottish connections or ancestry, or from toponymic or occupational naming practices. Surname formation of this kind became established in the early modern period as populations moved and naming conventions stabilized.

In modern usage, the term is relatively specialized and more common in Danish or Norwegian writing than in everyday English contexts. It should be understood in its linguistic and historical setting and not confused with related forms in other languages, such as Scot or Scotsman, which have different usage patterns in English. Overall, Skotte reflects historical contact between Scandinavian societies and Scotland and persists today primarily in language, genealogy, and onomastics.