author Margaret Dowland
There are some variations in the spelling but this seems to be the most common.
The family seems to trace back to the Norman conquest but the records that concern Southrepps start with William Cottrell born in Southrepps in 1505 died 1550. He married a local heiress Margaret English(b.1520) who was the daughter of John Inglos English and Anne Money.
Their son Thomas was born in Southrepps 1535 married to Mary Inglos English(1538-1565). Thomas and Mary had at least two sons Robert (1565-1640) and George (1585-1613)as well as several daughters.
George is interesting as his grandson, Thomas emigrated to America in 1679, one of the early settlers.
Many generations later was born Frederick Gardner Cottrell (January 10, 1877 – November 16, 1948). He was an American physical chemist, inventor, and philanthropist. He is best known for his invention of the electrostatic precipitator, one of the first inventions designed to eliminate air pollution; and for establishing the Research Corporation for Science Advancement, a foundation that has funded scientific research since 1912(www.russellcottrell.com/genealogy/).
The other son Robert married Anne Mary Bohun they had five children. One of whom became Sir Clement Cottrell.
Born in 1585 and marrying Anne Alyne he is made Muster Master of the Buckingham militia in 1617. He is then appointed Groom Porter to James I. In this role he oversaw and issued licences for activities such as card games, bowling alleys and tennis courts. From 1620 to 1631 he served as Vice Admiral of Lincolnshire. This gave him enough influence to be returned as Member of Parliament for Grantham.
Clement and Anne had a son Charles born in 1615; he became an English courtier and translator. He was educated at Cambridge University. he was knighted in 1644 on his appointment of Master of Ceremonies to the court of Charles I. With the execution of Charles he went into exile in Antwerp. After the interregnum he returned as master of ceremonies to Charles the 2nd. He was married to Frances Marsworth in 1642. He was of sufficient renown to be mentioned in Samual Pepys’ diary. He also had a seat in Parliament for Cardigan.
Their first son Clement died at sea on board the Royal James fighting the Dutch off Southwold in 1672. His memorial plaque in Westminster Abbey is shared with Charles Harbord who died alongside him The monument was erected by Charles Harbord’s father (a forebear of Lord Suffields, another link back to Southrepps).
Their other son Sir Charles Lodowick Cottrell(1654-1710) continued as master of ceremonies to the Crown, as did his son Clement Cottrell(1686-1758). Clement inherited his Aunt Anne’s estates of Chersley and Rousham in Oxfordshire, on the death of her son James Dormer.
Their daughter Anne wrote many letters to her sister Elizabeth which are now proving useful in uncovering the domestic concerns of seventeenth century women and their legal and romantic relationships with men.