Origin of the surname Curtis

This name derives from the Old French "Corteis" or "Curteis" meaning "refined" or "accomplished" and was originally given as a nickname to a man of good education. One Curteis de (of) Capella appears in the 1130 Pipe Rolls of Warwickshire. The surname is first recorded in the mid 12th Century (see below), and other forms of the name have included le Curetis (Devonshire, 1168) and Le Curtois (Lincolnshire, 1230). In the modern idiom, the name has twelve spelling variations including Curtis(s), Curtice, Curthoys, Cortes, and Kertess.

On May 6th 1635, one Henry Curtis, aged 27 yrs., embarked from London on the ship "Elizabeth and Ann" bound for New England. He was one of the earliest recorded namebearers to enter America. Patrick Curtis (1740 - 1832) became Archbishop of Armagh in 1819, and advocated Catholic emancipation before a committee of the House of Lords in 1825; he also corresponded with the Duke of Wellington on the subject. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Curteis, which was dated 1166, in the "Pipe Rolls of Bedfordshire", during the reign of King Henry 11, known as "The Builder of Churches" 1154 - 1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Curtis. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

The history of the surname curtis is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of curtis. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of curtis.

The surname Curtis around the world

It is common for surnames like curtis to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones.

History of Curtis

The historical journey of the surname curtis can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of curtis. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname curtis.

You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname curtis, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames.

Notable Figures Named Curtis

Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all curtiss who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. If you or someone you know bears the surname curtis, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname curtis who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Curtis and its bibliographic sources

It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname curtis. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of curtis.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of curtis, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Curtis