Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • All Collections
      • Census & Voter Lists
      • Birth, Marriage & Death
      • Military
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      • Support Centre
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2006-2025 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company

      Meaning of the first name
      Colter

      Origin 
      English

      Meaning 
      To Look After Horses

      Variations 
      Colten, Colbert, Coltrane

      *Some content has been generated by an artificial intelligence language model, in combination with data sourced from Ancestry records and provided by BabyNames.com.
      The name Colter has its origins in the English language and carries the meaning To Look After Horses. Historically, the name Colter was associated with individuals who held the responsibility of caring for horses. In ancient times, when horses were indispensable for transportation, agriculture, and warfare, the role of a horse caretaker held great significance within the community.

      In the annals of history, the name Colter gained prominence due to the association with an American explorer and frontiersman named John Colter. Born in 1774, John Colter was a member of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition, which ventured into the uncharted western territories of the United States in the early 1800s. Known for his remarkable survival skills and exploration of the Yellowstone region, John Colter played a pivotal role in expanding the knowledge of the American West.

      In modern-day usage, the name Colter continues to be employed, though less prevalently. With the passage of time and the changing role of horses in society, the direct connection to horse care has faded. However, the name Colter persists as a testament to its historical roots. It is now adopted as both a given name and a name, often carrying a sense of admiration for the spirit of exploration and adventure represented by John Colter. Furthermore, variations and derivations of the name Colter can be observed across different cultures, illustrating the enduring appeal and significance of this historical name.
      Based on our records...
      This is the most common surname, spouse name and child name associated with Colter.
      Carson

      is the most common surname for Colter.

      Sara

      is the most common spouse name for Colter.

      Maud

      is the most common child name for Colter.

      Start your curiosity engines.

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Free Trial
      Order Ancestry
      did_you_know_bar
      Based on our records...
      Did you know?
      1985 is when there were the most people born with the first name Colter.

      We'll guide you through the process of building and growing your tree

      Explore the origins of another name.