Botts
A surname usually treated as an English name, probably a spelling variant of Bott or a related nickname form.
The #7,274 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 67,382 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Botts is best understood as a variant spelling of Bott, a surname found in English records. In many cases, Bott was either a nickname from a personal name such as Bot/Bot(t), or a shortened form connected with Middle English forms used as given names or bynames; the exact pathway for Botts is not certain. The final -s may be a plural or patronymic-style spelling added later in the surname’s history.
History
The name appears in English-speaking records and was carried to North America by early settlers and their descendants. The best-known bearer is probably John Minor Botts (1802–1869), a Virginia politician and Unionist. Because the historical excerpts supplied here only mention the name in passing, the deeper origin remains somewhat uncertain.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
John Minor Botts was one of the more prominent American politicians to bear this surname in the 19th century.
From the historical record
“was a very voluminous waiter. Viper is found in the " New-England Genealogical Register " for April, 1848. We have Bott ; and the Hon. J. M. Botts is one of the most distinguished statesmen of Vir- ginia. Two families of Blackadder live in Montreal ; Mr. Snake, at Toronto, C.W. ; Mr. Dragon, at Freilighs-”
— Suffolk Surnames (3rd ed.)