Surname White-Cotton - Meaning and Origin
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White-Cotton: What does the surname White-Cotton mean?
The last name White-Cotton is of English origin and is derived from a nickname meaning “white cloth” or “simple cloth”. The surname likely originated with individuals who were cloth manufacturers or textile workers.
In the 1200s, cloth-making had become an important part of the English economy, so many people took up jobs in the trade during this period. The last name White-Cotton could have been given to those who sourced and created white cloth for sewing and weaving.
White cloth was often used in garments for court officials, but also everyday clothing for all classes of people in medieval England. As the production of cloth became increasingly important, families that specialized in the trade became well known and respected.
Although it is impossible to trace exactly where the White-Cotton name came from, the name
might have been given to a family who were renowned for creating and selling white cloth, thus giving them a degree of social status in the community.
Today, the name White-Cotton still lives on and has spread throughout the world, as people have emigrated from their homeland to other countries. The name is now associated with a wide range of individuals who have chosen to keep the name as part of their family history.
Order DNA origin analysisWhite-Cotton: Where does the name White-Cotton come from?
The last name White-Cotton is most commonly found in the United States. According to the 2020 US Census, White-Cotton is most prominent in the South and Southeast regions of the US. The states of Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, and North Carolina have the greatest number of people with this last name. Beyond that, the name also has significant presence in the West, Midwest and Northeast regions of the US.
White-Cotton is an interesting last name because it shows a long and complicated family history. The name has British origins, yet its 'Cotton' portion reflects a colonial-era history. Cotton is a common last name in the Southern US, and it was often adopted by slaves upon emancipation. Thus, the last name White-Cotton is a representation of the multi-racial history of the US.
Source: Ancestry.com
The name is found in several countries beyond the US, including Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Australia, as well as various other places around the world. White-Cotton is not, however, a particularly common last name internationally; its prevalence is largely limited to the US and its former colonies.
Variations of the surname White-Cotton
White-Cotton is an unusual surname that can be traced back to the English language. It can be found in multiple spellings and variations such as Whitte-Cotton, Whitecott, White-cottan, White-Cottonn, with the "t" and the "tt" often interchangeable. Variations are seen with the "White" as well, such as White-Coton, Whitecot, White-Cottan, White-Cotan, Whitecotan and Whitacott. All of the variations of this name share a common root in the Old English language.
White-Cotton can also be found in a few other surnames that can be traced back to the same origin. These include White-Cottrell, Whitecotter, Whitecar, Whitcar, Whitcott, Whittecott, Whitecater, Whittcot, Whitcote, Wyattcott, Whittaker, Whittacott, and Whitlock. There are also some less common variations such as Whitcotton, Withcott, Withcotton, Whishcoat, and Whithering.
While all of these names are linked back to the same origin, they are still considered to be distinct surnames. It is important to note that the spelling of the surname can change over time, due to variations in pronunciation from one era to another. It is also important to note that White-Cotton is not related to the surname Cotton, although the two surnames are often confused.
Famous people with the name White-Cotton
- Arden White-Cotton, professional soccer player for Louisville FC
- Jon White-Cotton, American producer, rapper and songwriter
- Olaniyi White-Cotton, American Producer and DJ from New York City
- Tyler White-Cotton, professional businessman from New York
- Johny White-Cotton, Grammy award winning gospel musician
- Jennifer White-Cotton, international recording artist from Canada
- Jeffrey White-Cotton, poet and lyricist from California
- Alex White-Cotton, Hollywood actor
- Katie White-Cotton, philanthropist and founder of Cotton Cares charity foundation
- Eleanor White-Cotton, British journalist and investigative reporter