A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cotter family of Ireland.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Az. three evetts in pale ppr”
The Cotter arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Reigning in Ireland when the Cotter arms are first recorded.
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
The surname Cotter has deep roots in Ireland, particularly within the southern regions of Cork and the urban center of Dublin. By the middle of the seventeenth century, the family was well-established in the social and political life of Dublin, as evidenced by records from 1645. The name is generally believed to be an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac Coitir, which likely originated from a descriptive nickname. In the Irish language, the term "coitir" is associated with a small farmer or a person who lived in a cottage. As the family grew in influence, they became prominent landowners and civic leaders in the Munster province, eventually branching out into various professional roles across the country. Their presence in the capital city during the mid-1600s highlights their integration into the shifting administrative landscape of Ireland during a period of significant historical transition.
Derived from the Old Irish word for a wood or forest.
