Cotter baronets

• Sir James Cotter, 1st Baronet (c. 1714–1770)
• Sir James Laurence Cotter, 2nd Baronet (c. 1748–1829)
• Sir James Laurence Cotter, 3rd Baronet (c. 1787–1834)
• Sir James Laurence Cotter, 4th Baronet (1828–1902)[5]
• Sir James Laurence Cotter, 5th Baronet (1887–1924)
• Sir Delaval James Alfred Cotter, 6th Baronet (1911–2001).
• Sir Patrick Laurence Delaval Cotter, 7th Baronet (1941–2023).[6]
• Sir Julius Laurence George Cotter, 8th Baronet (born 1968)

The heir presumptive is the current holder's cousin, Stuart Cotter (born 1954)

• Cotter family
• James Fitz Edmond Cotter
• James Cotter the Younger
• Óttar of Dublin

Sir James Cotter, knight and grandfather of the 1st Baronet of Rockforest, was one of the most prominent Catholic landlords in Ireland especially in County Cork. He lived at Ballinsperig, later to be known as Anngrove. When King James II landed in Kinsale in March 1689, he went to Annegrove and stayed there with Sir James. Sir James Cotter was Commander-in-Chief of King James II's forces in Cork, Limerick and Kerry and was a great ally to the House of Stuart. King James II promised him the title of Marquess[7] but a defeat at the Battle of the Boyne in July 1690, meant his promise could not be kept, and James II returned to France , where he spent the rest of his life in exile. Although a Jacobite, Sir James was politically astute having the support of his Protestant neighbours which allowed him to retain his property and lands. He was heralded by many poets in Ireland as one of the few Catholic landowners.[8][9]

Rockforest then became the family's seat from the mid 18th century. Wilson, writing in 1786, describes it as "a most beautiful improvement, highly wooded, situated on the Blackwater, the seat of James Laurence Cotter". The main section of the house and wings, built by Sir James, dates to the early Georgian period (his grandfather was granted the lands in 1652). This design incorporated an earlier house built during the reign of Elizabeth I which had been built by the original owners the Roches, Barons of Fermoy. In 1837, in A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, Samuel Lewis describes Rockforest thus: 'Rockforest the handsome mansion of Sir J. L. Cotter, Bart., is beautifully situated on a rising ground between the Black-water and the Lavally mountain, in an extensive and richly wooded demesne, bounded on the north by the river, which sweeps bodly under the rock or Carrig, the woods and castellated tower on the summit of the rock forming a most picturesque and interesting scene.'[10] It was here that the very rare form of quartz Cotterite was discovered by Grace Elizabeth Cotter (1830-79), first-born daughter of Reverend George Edward Cotter (third son of the second Baronet of Rockforest).[11][12] Rockforest was enventually sold in 1916, by the fifth Baronet. The then auction sales brochure called it to the attention of "Noblemen, Hunting Men, Capitalists and Others" and describes the house thus, "this stately Mansion, which is in perfect structural and decorative repair, occupies a commanding situation on an eminence richly timbered, and affords delightful and varied views in the midst of charming scenary on the River Blackwater". It continues, " ... justly enjoying the reputation as the most Desirable and Beautiful Residential Property on the fertile banks of the Irish Rhine".

• Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990, Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1955 edition, pages 216, 217, 218).