The Lots
Early-attested site in the Parish of Cottenham
Historical Forms
- The Lotts 1604 Atkyns
- Cottenham Lottes 1636 BedL
Etymology
The Lots is The Lotts 1604Atkyns , Cottenham Lottes 1636 BedL.This consisted of “about 200 acres wherein every house hath an acre” (Atkyns ). Cf. les Fenlotes (Whittlesey) 1402Ct , les lotez 1423 ib., lez lotes (in Elm) 1446Ct , Lotts in Gallfenn (in Haddenham) t. Jas 1Cole xxxvii, the lot or dole of John Belwood (Witcham) 1637 BedL, the Lott Landes of the said Edward Love (Sutton) 1678FenS . The name derives from the drawing of lots for land in the fens. Cf. The Lots and Hobb's Lots infra 202, 297.