The Cotters are noted as one of the very few Irish families of verifiable Norse descent to survive the Norman invasion of Ireland,[REF] although it is currently unknown if this is genetically paternal or only maternal.
A family manuscript of later date claims the Cotters are descendants of Óttar of Dublin (Son of Mac Ottir), who was King of Dublin from 1142 to 1148, through his son Thorfin and grandson Therulfe [REF].