Cottrell is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Alan Cottrell (1919–2012), British metallurgist and physicist
Ann Cottrell Free, American journalist
Anthony Cottrell, one of the investors in the Port Phillip Association
Arthur Cottrell (1885–1918), American football coach
Blair Cottrell, an Australian far-right extremist
Chris Cottrell, American entrepreneur
Con Cottrell, Irish sportsperson
Dorthia Cottrell (born 1986), American singer and musician
Elizabeth Cottrell (born 1975), American geologist
Erin Cottrell (born 1975), American actress
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, British screenwriter and novelist
Frederick Gardner Cottrell (1877–1948), American inventor and physical chemist
George Cottrell (born 1993), British former politician, financier, and convicted felon George Cottrell (rugby) (1881-1963), English rugby union and rugby league footballer Graham Cottrell (born 1945), English cricketer and teacher James La Fayette Cottrell, American politician from Alabama Jim Cottrell, American football linebacker Leonard Cottrell, British writer and archaeologist Louis Cottrell Sr. (1878–1927), jazz drummer Louis Cottrell Jr. (1911–1978), jazz reedist Myron Cottrell, founder and owner of TPI Specialties Nathan Cottrell (born 1996), American football player Patrick Cottrell (born 1981), American writer Peter Cottrell, British historian and novelist Porter Cottrell, American professional bodybuilder Raymond Cottrell, Seventh-day Adventist theologian Robert Cottrell (1815–1880), coachbuilder and politician in South Australia Sheldon Cottrell, West Indian cricket player and Jamaican Defense Force soldier Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Reading T. J. Cottrell, American football player Ted Cottrell, defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers Thomas Cottrell, Canadian politician from New Brunswick Travis Cottrell, American contemporary Christian music (CCM) artist, songwriter, author and worship leader William Cottrell, convicted arsonist