Hello Deborah,

Edward & Mary had a grandson Leonard (one of Sidney Alfred's many children) who changed his name from Cotter to Cotter-O'Brien. I don't know why he chose that name, it seems rather strange as the Cotters (from MacOttar, sons of Ottar) and the O'Briens (from sons of Brian Boru) were enemies, Brian fought against the Ottars when they were the Kings of Dublin, and he died in Clontarf after defeating the Norsemen).

There was a Cotter from Ireland who was the tallest man in the world about 100 years ago (maybe longer) and he changed his name to Cotter-O'Brien as a "stage name", perhaps Leonard was following his lead?

If you send me details of how you are connected to Edward and Mary, I'll send you an Ancestor's Report. My email address is dafydd@iinet.net.au.

Cheers,
Dafydd Cotter