Show ContentsCorthorpe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Corthorpe surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in the village of Courthope in the county of Sussex.

Early Origins of the Corthorpe family

The surname Corthorpe 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 Corthorpe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Corthorpe 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 Corthorpe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Corthorpe Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Corthorpe include Courthope, Curtehope, Courtopp, Courthop and many more.

Early Notables of the Corthorpe 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 Corthorpe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Corthorpe family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: 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.


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