The roots of the surname Cottier are not quite clear, the French Nobles of Provence have used this name since early times ( more info soon).

It is believed that the Swiss Cottiers are derived from this French origin. However there is a certain confusion over the derivation of the Manx name Cotttier the following excerpt explains well the possible route of the name in the Isle of Mann

COTTIER and COTTER (pronounced COTCHIER), contracted from MacOttarr, 'Ottar's son.' The Norse name, OTTARR, seems to be formed from Otta 'twilight,' and the ending hari, which probably means 'sword.' In Anglo-Saxon spelling it is OHTHERE. The voyages of a Norseman so named are related in King Alfred's Anglo-Saxon version of Orosius. At Kirk Braddan there is a cross read by Dr. Vigfusson as follows:-UTR : RISTI : CRUS ÞONO : AFT : FROCA 'Odd raised this cross to the memory of Froca .' and he remarks 'Ut probably represents the Icelandic Odd, though this is not certain.'* Under A.D. 1098, we find in the Chronicon Manniae, that "A battle was fought between the Manxmen at Santwat, and those of the North obtained the victory. In this engagement were slain the Earl OTHER and Macmaras, leaders of the respective parties."+

'MACOTTIR, one of the people of Insi Gall (the Hebrides), A.D. 1142,¤
OTTAR was king of Dublin, A.D. 1147.
OTTARR is common in the Flateyjarbóc.
COTTER is the usual form till the middle of the eighteenth century, when it was generally supplanted by COTTIER, which is now almost invariably the form used. Tradition has it that two Hugenot families called COTTIER escaped from France at the time of the massacre of St. Bartholemew, 1572, and that their descendants settled in Lezayre. The name COTTIER, however, or rather MACCOTTIER, was found here before that date, but still it is possible that its origin may not be the same as that of COTTER.

OTER, OTHER [1098], MACOTT' (?) [1417], MACCOTTER and MACCOTTIER [1504], COTTIER [1616], COTTER [1625], COTTAR [1647].

Lezayre (vc), Ballaugh, Marown, Braddan, Maughold, Rushen, Onchan, Malew, Arbory, German, Santon, Bride, Michael (c), elsewhere (u).

* Manx Note Book, No. 9, p. 16.
+ Chronicon Manniae, Manx Society, Vol. XXII, p. 58.
¤ Four Mast., Vol. ll., p. 169.

[FPC however in Historical Manuscripts Commission printed volume of the Collection of MSS of Dean and Chapter of Wells (vol ii) is following:

Account of Edmund Archer STP, 1726-7 payments "2s 6d to Dennis Cotar and seven other Frenchmen of the Mermaid, cast away on the Isle of Man"]

 

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