The Cote Family History

What Does the Cote Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Cote is of French origin, deriving from the Latin word ‘costa’ and the Old French term ‘coste,’ both of which denote the bank or side of a river. Additionally, the Middle English word ‘cote’ refers to a small dwelling or cottage. Variations of the surname Cote include Cotte, Cotner, Cot, Cottet, Cotard, Lacotte, Cotet, and Kott. In France, the Cote surname first emerged in the Languedoc region located in the southern part of the country. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, numerous families bearing the Cote name migrated to Canada as well as the Louisiana area. In England, the distribution of the Cote surname is widespread, with a higher concentration found in Durham, Yorkshire, Kent, Bedfordshire, and the city of London. In the United States, the earliest settlements of Cote families occurred in the early 1800s, primarily in Vermont, Ohio, Tennessee, and Michigan. Notable individuals with the Cote surname include Ray Cote, a professional ice hockey player from Canada; Jordan Cote, a professional baseball player; Patrick Cote, a martial arts expert also from Canada; David Cote, a writer and theater critic; Denise Cote, a U. Federal judge; Henry Joseph Cote, another professional baseball player; and Riley Cote, a professional ice hockey player.