Thomas Cottam (1549 – 30 May 1582) was an English Catholic priest and martyr from Lancashire, who was executed during the reign of Elizabeth I.

[2] He was ordained a deacon at Cambrai in December 1577 and, desiring to become a missionary to India, went to Rome and was received as a Jesuit novice at Sant' Andrea on 8 April 1579.

[2] The spy Sledd had been in Rome, and traveling with some Englishmen arrived in Lyon, where he made the acquaintance of Cottam.

[3] From there he went to the English College, Rheims, considering himself accepted for India, if his health improved after a visit to England.

After being tortured, he was removed on 4 December 1580 to the Tower, where he endured the rack and the scavenger's daughter (twice).