Potts (and Pott) is a surname of English origin. The word ''potts'' refers to circular hollows in the ground.
Notable people with the name include:
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Alec Potts
Alec Potts (born 19 February 1996) is an Australian competitive archer. Potts made history at the 2016 Summer Olympics by bagging the country's first ever medal with a bronze in the men's team recurve.
Potts was selected to compete for the Aust ...
(born 1996), Australian archer
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Alistair Potts
Alistair James Potts (born 7 July 1971) is a former British World Champion cox.
Potts was born in Chertsey, Surrey. He was educated at Winchester College and the University of Edinburgh, where he studied architectural history. He coxed the me ...
(born 1971), British rower
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Allan Potts
Allan W. Potts (May 14, 1904 – November 5, 1952) was an American National Indoor and Outdoor Champion speed skater who competed in the 1932 Winter Olympics and in the 1936 Winter Olympics. Inducted May 18, 1967, at Detroit, Michigan, into ...
Anna M. Longshore Potts
Anna M. Longshore Potts (, Longshore; April 16, 1829 – October 24, 1912) was an American physician and medical lecturer of the long nineteenth century. She was one of eight members of the first class to be graduated from the Woman's Medical Col ...
(1829–1912), American physician
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Annie Potts
Anne Hampton Potts (born October 28, 1952) is an American actress. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for ''Corvette Summer'' (1978) and won a Genie Award for '' Heartaches'' (1981), before appearing in ''Ghostbusters'' (1984), ''Pretty i ...
(born 1952), American actress
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Arnold Potts
Brigadier Arnold William Potts, (16 September 1896 – 1 January 1968) was an Australian grazier and army officer who served in the First World War and led the 21st Brigade of the Second Australian Imperial Force during its defence of the Koko ...
Benjamin F. Potts
Benjamin Franklin Potts (January 29, 1836 – June 17, 1887) was an American lawyer, politician, and soldier from the state of Ohio who served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War, as well as a reconstruction era gover ...
(1836–1887), American lawyer, politician, and soldier
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Bill Potts (musician)
William Orie Potts (April 3, 1928, Arlington, Virginia – February 16, 2005, Plantation, Florida) was an American jazz pianist and arranger.
Early life
Potts played Hawaiian guitar as a child and accordion in his teens. At age 15, he won ...
(1928–2005), American jazz pianist and arranger
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Bill Potts (lawyer)
Bill Potts is a Queensland criminal defence practitioner and a past president of Queensland Law Society. He is a founding director of Potts Lawyers Queensland's largest private criminal law firm. Since 2012 he has served as a Queensland Law S ...
(born ?), Australian lawyer
* Bradley Potts (born 1994), British footballer
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Cameron Potts
Cameron Potts (born 10 November 1971 in Subiaco, Western Australia), is a musician based in Melbourne. Since 1999, he has toured regularly to the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Scandinavia and Iceland w ...
(born 1971), Australian rock musician
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Carl Potts
Carl Potts (born November 12, 1952) is an Americans, American comics artist, writer, teacher, and editor best known for creating the series ''Alien Legion'' for the Marvel Comics imprint Epic Comics.
Early life
Born in Oakland, California, and r ...
(born 1952), American comic-book writer, artist, and editor
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Charles Potts
Charles Potts (born August 28, 1943) is an American counter-culture poet. He is sometimes referred to as a projectivist poet and was mentored by Edward Dorn. Raised in rural Mackay, Idaho, Potts left Pocatello, Idaho and Idaho State University in ...
(born 1943), American projectivist poet
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Cliff Potts
Cliff Potts (born January 5, 1942 in Glendale, California) is an American television and film actor whose roles include John Keenan in the 1972 science fiction film, ''Silent Running'' starring Bruce Dern.
Potts starred as Sergeant Eugene Allar ...
(born 1942), American actor
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Daddy Potts
Robert Crockett "Daddy" Potts (August 16, 1898 – August 11, 1981) was an
David Potts (disambiguation), several people
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Denys Campion Potts
Denys Campion Potts (17 March 1923 – 11 May 2016) was a scholar and authority on French literature.Obituary in ''The Daily Telegraph'', ''Denys Potts, scholar - obituary'', May 27, 2016 His obituary in ''The Daily Telegraph'' stated that he ‘s ...
(1923–2016), English modern linguist
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Ebinabo Potts-Johnson
Ebinabo Potts-Johnson (born 1988) is a Nigerian model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Universe 2007 and has represented her country in the Miss Universe 2007 competition in Mexico City on 28 May. She ...
Eric Potts
Eric Potts (born 13 September 1965) is a Scottish actor, writer and director, who appeared in ''Coronation Street'' as the eccentric baker Diggory Compton after playing four smaller parts, the father of Molly Compton, and ''Brookside'' as Wre ...
Gary Potts
Gary Potts (Dec. 1, 1944 – June 3, 2020) was a chief of the Temagami First Nation and the Teme-Augama Anishnabai in Temagami, Ontario, Canada.
He was chief in August 1973 when the Temagami Land Caution began with land claims being filed with tit ...
('1945–2020), chief of the Temagami First Nation and the Teme-Augama Anishnabai
* Geoffrey Potts, American cognitive psychologist and professor
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Harry Potts
Harold Potts (22 October 1920 – 16 January 1996) was an English football player and manager. As a player he won promotion with both Burnley and Everton, and both from Second Division. As Burnley manager, he guided them to the First Division ...
(1920–1996), English football player and manager
* Jason Potts (economist) (born ?), New Zealand-born Australian academic economist
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Jason Potts (politician)
Jason Potts (born June 30, 1978) is an American politician who was a representative in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023.
Background
Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Potts graduated from Spring Hill High School in 1996. H ...
(born 1978), American politician
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Jerry Potts
Jeremiah “Jerry” Potts (1840 – July 14, 1896), (also known as Ky-yo-kosi, meaning "Bear Child"), was an American - Canadian plainsman, buffalo hunter, horse trader, interpreter, and scout of Kainai (Blood) and Scots heritage.
Early lif ...
('1840–1896), Canadian Métis guide and interpreter
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Joe Potts
Joe Potts was a British racing driver, turned racing car manufacturer, of the 1950s. He designed and constructed his 'JP' racing cars for the Formula 3 and Formule Libre racing classes. These are among the few single-seater racing cars to have be ...
Laramie Potts
Laramie Potts is an American scientist who identified the Wilkes Land mass concentration in Antarctica in collaboration with Ralph von Fresebr>He is from South Africa. He is an Associate Professor in the School of Applied Engineering and Technolo ...
, American civil and environmental engineer, scientist, and educator
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Leonard Potts Leonard James Potts (3 December 1897 – 31 August 1960) was an English academic, translator, and specialist in literary comedy. As an author he was usually credited as L. J. Potts.
A fellow of Queens' College, Cambridge, Potts translated works by ...
(1897–1960), English academic and translator
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Lisa Potts
Lisa Webb GM (née Potts) is a former nursery teacher. On 8 July 1996, her class at St Luke's Primary School in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton, England, was attacked by a man with severe paranoid schizophrenia wielding a machete.
Potts' arm was al ...
, English schoolteacher, public health nurse, and author; injured defending children in her care from a machete attack
* Malcolm Potts, British-born American physician, reproductive scientist, author, and professor
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Marie Mason Potts
Marie Mason Potts (1895 – 1978), also known as Chankutpan, or "One With Sharp Eyes", née Marie Mason; she was a Mountain Maidu cultural leader, activist, educator, writer, journalist, and editor. She was an influential California Native Americ ...
(1895–1978),
Mountain Maidu
The Maidu are a Native American people of northern California. They reside in the central Sierra Nevada, in the watershed area of the Feather and American rivers. They also reside in Humbug Valley. In Maiduan languages, ''Maidu'' means "man."
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journalist and activist
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Matthew Potts
Matthew James Potts (born 29 October 1998) is an English cricketer. Potts is a right-arm pace bowler and lower order batter. He plays first-class cricket for Durham County Cricket Club, Durham and made his Test cricket, Test match debut for the ...
Midge Potts
Midgelle Regina Potts, known as Midge Potts, is a transgender peace activist and United States Navy, Navy veteran who ran as a Progressive Party (Green Party of the United States, Green Party) candidate in the United States Senate election in Mis ...
, American peace activist and politician
* Olivia Potts, British cookery writer
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Paul Potts
Paul Potts (born 13 October 1970) is an English tenor. In 2007, he won the first series of ITV's ''Britain's Got Talent'' with his performance of "Nessun dorma", an aria from Puccini's opera ''Turandot''. As a singer of operatic pop music, Po ...
(born 1970), British tenor who won the first series of ITV's ''Britain's Got Talent'' in 2007
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Paul Potts (writer)
Paul Hugh Howard Potts (19 July 1911 – 26 August 1990), a British-born poet who lived in British Columbia in his youth, was the author of ''Dante Called You Beatrice'' (1960), a memoir of unrequited love. One of the women treated in the memoir ...
(1911–1990), poet, author of ''Dante Called You Beatrice''
* Robin Buxton Potts, Canadian politician
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Reg Potts
Reginald Potts (31 July 1927 – 28 January 1996) was an English football defender, nicknamed "Dan" after Desperate Dan.
A key member of Port Vale's history, he played 301 competitive games for the club between 1945 and 1957. He helped the "V ...
(1927–1996), English footballer
* Reginald Potts (1892–1968), British gymnast
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Renfrey Potts
Renfrey Burnard (Ren) Potts AO (1925–2005) was an Australian mathematician and is notable for the Potts model and his achievements in: operations research, especially networks; transportation science, car-following and road traffic; Ising-ty ...
(1925–2005), Australian mathematician
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Richard Potts
Richard Potts (July 19, 1753November 26, 1808) was an American politician and jurist.
Early life and career
Potts was born in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and lived there until he moved with his family to the Barbados Islands in 1757. He returne ...
(1753–1808), American politician and jurist
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Roosevelt Potts
Roosevelt Potts (born January 8, 1971) is a former professional American football player who played fullback in the National Football League for six seasons from 1993 to 1998 for the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, and Baltimore Ravens, aft ...
(born 1971), American football player
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Russ Potts
Harry Russell Potts Jr. (March 4, 1939 – December 19, 2021) was an American businessman, journalist, and politician who served as a Republican state senator in Virginia, representing the 27th district from 1992 to 2008. An independent candid ...
(1939–2021), American businessman and politician
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Ruan Potts
Ruan Potts (born 24 August 1977) is a South African professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2011, Potts formerly competed for the UFC.
Mixed martial arts career
Potts m ...
(born 1977), South African mixed martial artist
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Sarah-Jane Potts
Sarah-Jane Potts (born 30 August 1976) is an English actress, best known for her roles as Saint (Sarah) in '' Sugar Rush'', Ellie, Abs' on/off girlfriend in '' Casualty'' and Jo Lipsett in '' Waterloo Road''. Potts is the sister of actor Andre ...
(born 1976), British actress
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Seán Potts
Seán Desmond Potts (5 October 1930 – 11 February 2014) was an Irish musician. Born in The Liberties, Dublin, he was best known for his tin whistle playing and his long history with The Chieftains (from 1962 to 1979).
With The Chieftains
Potts ...
Taylor Potts
Taylor Potts (born October 13, 1987) is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at Texas Tech, and was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He was waived during training camp, and then signed ...
(born 1987), American football player
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Templin Potts
Templin Morris Potts (November 1, 1855 – March 22, 1927) was a United States Navy Captain and the 11th Naval Governor of Guam. He held many important posts during his time in the Navy, including Director of the Office of Naval Intelligence, ...
Tony Potts
Anthony "Tony" Ray Potts (born January 23, 1968) is an American Emmy-winning television personality, producer, writer and media executive.
In front of the camera as a presenter, Potts hosted USA Hollywood entertainment show ''Access Hollywood'' ...
(born 1963), American television presenter
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Tony Potts (politician)
Tony Potts (born 1976/77) was an appointed Republican Idaho state senator. He served only one session of the Idaho legislature, filling the unexpired of term of Bart Davis, before losing in the Republican primary to Dave Lent.
Biography
Potts gr ...
(born 1976/77), American politician
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Travon Potts
Travon Marcel Potts (born June 3, 1970) is an American songwriter and record producer. He has a prolific discography. Potts is well known for writing for artists such as Monica, Christina Aguilera, Ahmed Chawki, Kenny Lattimore, Anastacia, Etern ...
(born 1970), American songwriter and producer
* Wallace Potts (1947–2006), American film director, screenwriter, and archivist
* William Potts (disambiguation), several people
Characters
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Bill Potts (Doctor Who)
Bill Potts is a fictional character created by Steven Moffat and portrayed by Pearl Mackie in the long-running Television in the United Kingdom, British science fiction television series ''Doctor Who''. In the show's Doctor Who (series 10), ten ...
, a character in ''Doctor Who''
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Caractacus Potts
Caractacus Pott (Caractacus Potts in the film adaptation) is one of the main characters in Ian Fleming's novel ''Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang'' and its Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, film adaptation. The film version of the story makes several changes to h ...
, a character in ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang''
*Clytie Potts, a character in Philip Reeve's ''
Mortal Engines Quartet
The ''Mortal Engines Quartet'' (''Hungry City Chronicles'' in the United States), also known as the ''Predator Cities Quartet'', is a series of epic young adult fantasy novels by the British novelist and illustrator Philip Reeve. He began t ...
''
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Douglas Potts
Douglas "Doug" Potts is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, ''Emmerdale'', played by Duncan Preston. In July 2010, Preston announced that he was taking a break from the show, initially temporarily for several months to allo ...
, a character on the ITV soap opera ''Emmerdale'
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Hilary Potts
The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the British soap opera ''Emmerdale'' in 2007, by order of first appearance. All characters were introduced by the soap's executive producer, Keith Richardson.
Jackie Stiles
Jackie St ...
, a character on the ITV soap opera ''Emmerdale''
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Pepper Potts
Virginia "Pepper" Potts is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She serves as a supporting character to Iron Man and sometimes a romantic interest of Tony Stark. Created by writers Stan Lee and R ...
, a character in the Marvel Comics universe
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Sarah Potts (character)
Dr. Sarah Marjorie Potts is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera ''Shortland Street'', who was portrayed by Amanda Billing from her first appearance in September 2004 until the character's on-screen death in August 2014.
Arriving ...
, a character on the soap opera ''Shortland Street''