Show ContentsCourtopp History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Courtopp comes from the family having resided in the village of Courthope in the county of Sussex.

Early Origins of the Courtopp family

The surname Courtopp was first found in Sussex, where "from the reign of King Edward I., this family has been settled at Wadhurst, Lamberhurst, Ticehurst, and the adjoining parishes on the borders of Sussex and Kent." 1

Continuing, the "first [record of the name] occurs in a Subsidy Roll at Wadhurst, co. Sussex, in exactly it's present form [Courthope], temp. Edward I." 2

Early History of the Courtopp family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Courtopp research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1592, 1609, 1616, 1620, 1628, 1632, 1656, 1681 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Courtopp History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Courtopp Spelling Variations

Courtopp has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Courthope, Curtehope, Courtopp, Courthop and many more.

Early Notables of the Courtopp family

Distinguished members of the family include William de Curtehope, a prominent landholder in 13th century Sussex; and Sir George Courthorpe (1616-1685), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Sussex (1656.) Nathaniel Courthopp (d. 1620), was an English sea-captain in the service of the East India Company who enlisted in the company's service in November 1609, and left England in the Darling, one of Sir H. Middleton's fleet. With his commander and others he...
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Courtopp Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Courtopp family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Courtopps to arrive on North American shores: a number of settlers who arrived in the New World by the 19th century.



  1. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook