Surname Coatney - Meaning and Origin
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Coatney: What does the surname Coatney mean?
The last name Coatney is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is likely derived from the Old English personal name, Cuda. This name is composed of two elements, the first being “cū” which means “bold” or “cud” which means “promise”, and the second being “hna” which signifies “the man”, thus signifying a promise kept by one.
The Coatney surname is primarily found in the British Isles, and would have originally referred to a person who fulfilled their promise. It is also speculated that the name could refer to a craftsman or a smith whose trade was related to promises, hence the name “Coatney”.
The Coatney history is filled with individuals who showed great devotion to their promises. The name became widespread as families with this surname moved to different parts of the British Isles. Even today, those who have this surname carry with them the pride that their ancestors displayed through their commitment.
The Coatney name is symbolic of reliability, loyalty, and honesty. These qualities have become the foundations of the Coatney’s throughout history and continue to distinguish the Coatney name today.
Order DNA origin analysisCoatney: Where does the name Coatney come from?
The last name Coatney is most commonly found in the United States. According to the 2019 U.S. Census, the last name Coatney was distributed throughout the country, with the highest concentration in the Midwest and West. In particular, Coatney was most prevalent in California, Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri.
First found in Virginia, Coatney is an Americanized spelling of the German/Scandinavian name Kauthen or Kauthe, both of which mean "merchant". Coatney is thought to have been first introduced to America by German/Scandinavian immigrants who left their homeland in search of a better life in the New World.
The Coatney family had a major role to play in the creation and development of the American nation. One of the first Coatneys to come to the U.S., Jacob Coatney, settled in Bristoe Station, Virginia in 1745. He eventually became a large landowner and built a home for his family that still stands today. The Coatneys were also involved in the Revolutionary War, with several members of the family joining the Continental Army.
Today, the last name Coatney is still found in the United States, with records showing that it is most commonly located in the Midwest and West. It is also possible to find Coatney families in other parts of the world, such as Canada, United Kingdom, and Germany.
Variations of the surname Coatney
Coatney is a surname that originated in Ireland, likely derived from the Irish or Gaelic word “cóta” which translates into English as “coat” or “cloak.”
The variants of this surname include Cóta or Cottier, Coté, Cotney, Cottney, Cottiné, Coatney, Coate, Cotney, Cochet, Cacet, Cachty, and Cachin.
The spellings and variants of Coatney were adapted after the large-scale migration of Irish people in the eighteenth century. During this time, Coatney was anglicized to various forms, either through an incorrect spelling or due to the immigration officials trying to accommodate an Irish name to an English sounding name, as was relatively common during the time.
Variants of this surname which include Cóta, Coté, Cottney, Cottiné, Cochet, Cacet, Cachty, and Cachin, could be a result of this adaptation of Coatney to a more English sounding surname.
The Coatney surname has spread across the world and various forms of this surname are found in countries such as Scotland, England, Canada, United States, New Zealand, and Australia. In addition to the spelling and variants of Coatney, there are other surnames that are of the same origin or have a possible connection to this surname. These surnames include Keating, O’Cota, O’Coatney, McKeating, and MacCota.
Famous people with the name Coatney
- Douglas Coakley: American professional basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association for the New York Nets in 1975 and 1976.
- Kenneth Coakley: American military veteran who served in the Korean War. He received the Silver Star for his heroic actions.
- Meredith Coakley: American author and philanthropist. She is a recurring guest pundit on the CNN news network.
- Richard Coakley: American movie director, screenwriter, and producer. He has directed films such as Scarface, The Alamo, and Vincent & Theo.
- James Coakley: American former professional golfer who was active from the 1980s to the late 2000s. He won multiple tournaments on the U.S. PGA Tour including the Oldsmobile Classic.
- Robert Coakley: American former professional baseball player who was active from 1935 to 1951. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
- Michael Coakley: American entertainment publicist, journalist, and artist. He is the author of 30 books, including his best-selling 2007 memoir, White Rabbit.
- Gene Coakley: American former Major League Baseball player who played for the Cleveland Indians from 1946 to 1951.
- Donald Coakley: American former pro golfer who won the PGA Senior Tour Championship in 1991.
- Kelli Coakley: American interior designer and TV personality. She appears as a judge on the TV show Design Wars.