An English, German and Dutch surname the Potter family name comes from the Middle English and Middle German term of ‘pot’ which refers to someone who makes earthenware containers. The Latin form is ‘potus’ also referring to making pots.

Spelling variations for Potter include Pottar and Poter.

In Scotland the Potter surname is scattered across most of the region. The higher percentages are in Midlothian, Lanarkshire and West Lothian. In England Potter families live mostly in Yorkshire, Lancashire, city of London, Hampshire, Lincolnshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Kent, Devon, Essex and Derbyshire counties.

New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, Iowa, California, Illinois and Ohio have the greater Potter populations in the United States.

Famous: Beatrix Potter (English author of children’s books), Craig Potter (football player from Scotland), Edward Tuckerman Potter (19th century architect), Madeleine Potter (actress), Robert Brown Potter (Civil War Union general), Russell Potter (writer), Harrison Potter (pianist), Chris Potter (actor from Canada), Chesca Potter (English artist) and Darren Potter (football player from Ireland).