cotte

Cotte is a proper noun that can refer to more than one subject, most commonly a surname and a toponym in French-speaking regions. In English-language sources it may also appear as a variant spelling in historical or regional texts.

Etymology and meaning: In toponymy, the element cotte is linked to the French word cote, meaning slope or hillside. As a surname, Cotte most likely originated from habitational names describing someone who lived on or near a slope, and over time it spread through migration and regional dialects.

Geographic usage: The form Cotte occurs in several French and Belgian place names, typically as a component of compound toponyms such as La Cotte or Le Cotte. These names commonly reflect local terrain features, such as a hill or hillside adjacent to a settlement.

Surname usage: Cotte is used as a family name in various countries, particularly where French influence is historical or contemporary. The surname is found across different ethnic and national backgrounds and has multiple, independent lineages. Variants of the name are occasionally recorded in historical documents, reflecting regional spelling practices.

See also: This term is part of broader discussions of toponymic and occupational surnames in Romance-language regions. Further exploration may include related place-name elements and surname variants that share similar linguistic roots.