Submitted Name Revision History

From Otuel, which was a diminutive of the Norman names Otoïs, meaning literally "wealth-wide" or "wealth-wood" (from the Germanic elements aud "wealth, fortune" and wid "wide" or witu "wood"), and Otewi, meaning literally "wealth-war" (in which the second element is wig "war"). It was first recorded in the 11th century and was subsequently used across England, though never became popular. By the late 14th century the name had fallen out of favour with the majority of the population. However, in the Pennine towns of West Yorkshire and Lancashire, its somewhat regular use continued well into the 18th century before once again becoming rare. In the same area, it survives today as a surname.

A known bearer was Ottiwell d'Avranches, illegitimate son of Hugh d'Avranches, Earl of Chester. He was employed as a tutor for the children of King Henry I of England until his death in 1120 in the sinking of The White Ship.