OTWAY - The Origin of the name?

The name could derive from a locational origin - 'ot' being by or of, 'way' being track or road, thus being the name for the person living by the track/road. Some research suggests this might be the road belonging to Otaway.

Alternatively, the name could have originated from the Old Germanic OTWICH, suggesting a Saxon origin. However, with the arrival of the Normans, many names were altered into Old French. The new name might have been OTOIS. The Anglo-Saxon form was Othwig: it meant 'prosperous, victory'. As names changed with pronunciation and a lack of the written word, this could have produced the following variations:

OTEWI
OTEWY
OTUI
OTWY
OTEWAY
OTUY

The earliest mention of the name, spelt as it is today, found so far is in Assize Rolls for Lancashire, 1260, when ROGER OTWAY is listed.

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