Curtis Last Name Origin, History, and Meaning
Where did the surname Curtis come from? What does the surname Curtis mean? Discover the history and meaning of the last name Curtis and family migration on YourRoots Map.
Court, Curtice, Curtiss
Surname Curtis Origin: What does the last name Curtis mean?
The surname Curtis is of Anglo-Norman origin, deriving from the Old French term "curteis," meaning "polite, courteous, or well-bred." This surname has Latin roots, with "cohors" as its source. The name is a compound of "curt-" which means court, and "-eis" which means "-ish." The spelling variation "Curtiss" is also common, and nicknames such as Curt, Curty, and Curtie are associated with this surname. The name Curtis was brought to England via the Norman Conquest and has been in use since the early 14th century. It was especially popular in the United Kingdom in 1996 and the United States in 1963.
YourRoots data shows that the Curtis surname has a strong presence in the United Kingdom since the 14th century. Over time, the surname expanded to the United States, becoming more prevalent in the 17th century and continuing to be popular to this day. The name Curtis has also been adopted by Hungarian immigrants with the last name Kertész due to its similar pronunciation. Today, the Curtis surname can be found in various countries around the world, reflecting its enduring legacy and widespread use across different cultures and regions.
Curtis Last Name History: Where did the last name Curtis come from?
Origin of Curtis Surname: Where does the last name Curtis originate from?
Based on the data from YourRoots, the surname Curtis was first recorded in England, United Kingdom, in the early 14th century. Please take into account that this reflects only YourRoots data for the exact spelling "Curtis" and does not include other sources of records or variations of the surname.
History of the Last Name Curtis: What does the Curtis surname history look like in the early days?
The Curtis surname remained closely associated with the United Kingdom from the 14th to the 15th century. However, by the 17th century, the frequency of Curtis family records had grown significantly in the United States. This trend continued through the 18th and 19th centuries, indicating a shift in the prevalence of the Curtis surname from the United Kingdom to the United States.
Global Spread: Where can we find the Curtis surname today?
The Curtis surname remains largely prevalent in the United States, according to the volume of records from the 20th and 21st centuries in the YourRoots database. The Curtis surname can also be found in other countries, though the specific nations and their ranking in terms of frequency would require further data analysis. However, given the history of the Curtis surname, it is likely to be found in countries with strong historical ties to both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Explore Curtis last name heritage and Curtis surname origin based on YourRoots Map data

Famous People With Curtis Surame?
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis (born Nov 22, 1958) is an American actress, producer, and children's author. She is known for her roles in horror films like "Halloween" and comedies like "Trading Places." Curtis has won multiple awards, including an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards.
Catie Curtis
Catie Curtis (May 22, 1965) is an American singer-songwriter known for her work in the folk rock genre. She has released multiple albums and her music has been featured in popular TV shows like Dawson's Creek and Grey's Anatomy. Curtis is also a supporter of same-sex marriage.
Martin Curtis
Martin Curtis (Feb 7, 1944 - ) is a prominent New Zealand folksinger and songwriter. Known for his love of the Cardrona Valley, he organizes the annual Cardrona Folk Festival and has produced acclaimed albums like "Gin and Raspberry." Curtis is a key figure in the New Zealand folk music scene.
Harriot Curtis
Harriot Sumner Curtis (June 30, 1881 - October 25, 1974) was an American amateur golfer and early participant in skiing. She won the U.S. Women's Amateur Golf Championship in 1906 and co-founded the Curtis Cup in 1932, a biennial golfing competition between the U.S. and Great Britain.
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