Cothran is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Charlene Cothran, American journalist James S. Cothran (1830–1897), Members of the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina Jeff Cothran (born 1971), American football fullback Keith Cothran (born 1986), American professional basketball player Pamela Cothran Marsh (born 1965), American attorney Shirley Cothran (born 1952), American motivational speaker and Miss America winner Tom Cothran (1947–1987), American musician and composer Thomas P. Cothran (1857–1934), Speakers of the South Carolina House of Representatives