Mac Coitir
Encyclopedia
Mac Coitir and Mac Oitir are masculine surname
s in the Irish language
. The names translate into English
as "son of Oitir". These surnames originated as a patronyms, however they no longer refers to the actual name of the bearer's father. There are specific forms of these surnames that are borne by married and unmarried females. There are numerous Anglicised forms of these surnames.
as "son of Oitir". These surnames originated as patronyms, however they no longer refer to the actual name of the bearer's father. The name Oitir is a Gaelic derivative of the Old Norse
personal name
Óttar
r.
, Cottier, Cottiers, and Otterson.
. The names are also borne by an old and notable family that was historically seated at Carrigtwohil, near the city of Cork
; this family claims to be of Norse origin.
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
s in the Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
. The names translate into English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as "son of Oitir". These surnames originated as a patronyms, however they no longer refers to the actual name of the bearer's father. There are specific forms of these surnames that are borne by married and unmarried females. There are numerous Anglicised forms of these surnames.
Etymology
Mac Coitir is a variant form of Mac Oitir, where the c-sound has carried over from the Mac- prefix. According to Patrick Woulfe, who wrote in the early 20th century, the form Mac Coitir is the more popular form of the two surnames. The surnames translate into EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as "son of Oitir". These surnames originated as patronyms, however they no longer refer to the actual name of the bearer's father. The name Oitir is a Gaelic derivative of the Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
personal name
Personal name
A personal name is the proper name identifying an individual person, and today usually comprises a given name bestowed at birth or at a young age plus a surname. It is nearly universal for a human to have a name; except in rare cases, for example feral children growing up in isolation, or infants...
Óttar
Óttar
Óttar or Ottar may refer to:*Ottar , a Swedish king who appears in Beowulf as Ohthere*Óttar , in Norse mythology, the protégé of Freya, and the subject of the Lay of Hyndla**The dwarf Ótr is sometimes known as Óttarr...
r.
Feminine forms
The form of these Irish surnames for unmarried females is Nic Coitir and Nic Oitir; these names mean "daughter of the son of Oitir". The form of these Irish surnames for married females is Bean Mhic Coitir and Bean Mhic Oitir, or simply Mhic Coitir and Mhic Oitir; these names mean "wife of the son of Oitir".Anglicised forms
These Irish surnames can be Anglicised variously as MacCotter, MacCottier, MacCottar, CotterCotter (surname)
Cotter is a surname that originates in England and Ireland. It can also be an Anglicization, chiefly in North America, of a similar sounding German surname.-Origin of the name:The surname Cotter has several different origins....
, Cottier, Cottiers, and Otterson.
Families
The names are borne by families in UlsterUlster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
. The names are also borne by an old and notable family that was historically seated at Carrigtwohil, near the city of Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
; this family claims to be of Norse origin.