There are a number of theories on the origin of the FOTTRELL name. In the book, " The Surnames of Ireland " by Edward MacLysaght, published in 1873. the name FOTTRELL was described as " An English toponymic in Co. Dublin since the 15th. century. (A toponymic is described as a surname formed from a placename.)

A report prepared by the late Donald Fottrell and his wife Marge from Tennessee said that their family tradition was that their ancestors might have emigrated to Ireland from France at some time during the 17th. and 18th. centuries. Is is thought that they anglcized the name from FUTTRELLE to FOTTRELL.

I would like to call your attention to the following. If you go to http://indigo.ie/~kfinlay/North%20Dublin/cosgrave15.html and and locate the paragraph starting with "Other Scandanavian surnames in Fingal are: Segrave, etc.......The surnames of Fottrell, Yourell, Butterly and Bobbett, found mostly in Fingal, are also probably of like origin."

As you look through the section entitled "FOTTRELL GENEALOGY" you will find entries as early as the 16th. century.

The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland has in its collections, documents known as the FOTTRELL PAPERS.

They concerned a Father John FOTTRELL, the Provincial or Major Superior of the Irish Dominican Friars.

He was arrested on June 6, 1739 and these papers was found in his possession. The papers were in connectionwith his duties as Provincial of the Irish Dominican Friars. Father John FOTTRELL wasborn in Dublin around 1701 and died in Dublin in 1785 at the age of 84.

Boyd and Alice Fottrell from California have found ancestors as far back as the early 1700's. They have developed an extensive Family Tree.

It has been described that the Fottrells of Dublin were farmers, boat-builders, solicitors and merchants.

I have conducted some preliminary research into the name FOTTRELLE in France to find informationin connection with emmigration to Ireland. Albert Dauzat, a Professor in France, published a book, " EtymologicalDictionary of Family Names and Given Names of France (title translated from the French) 3rd. Edition, Pub. 1951. He identifies a name FOUTREL which is described as a name derived from a place. I am still looking.