Courtis is one of the many names that the
Normans brought with them when they conquered
England in 1066. The name Courtis came from refined or educated person. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old French word
curteis, which means
refined or
accomplished. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.Early Origins of the Courtis family
The surname Courtis was first found in
Warwickshire but the name was scattered throughout Britain since early times. By example, the
Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists: William le Curteis in Cambridgeshire; Walter Curteys in Oxfordshire; Osbert le Curteys in Essex; Henry Corteys in Devon; and Richard le Corteys in
Oxfordshire.
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) Over one
hundred years later, the
Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists Adam Curtase and Johannes Cartas.
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Early History of the Courtis family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Courtis research.
Another 161 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1130, 1168, 1531 and 1534 are included under the topic Early Courtis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Courtis Spelling Variations
The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason,
spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Courtis has been recorded under many different variations, including Curtis, Curtiss, Curtyss, Curtys, Curtess, Curtes, Cortes, Cortis and many more.
Early Notables of the Courtis family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Courtis Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Courtis family to Ireland
Some of the Courtis family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in
Ireland is included in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Courtis family to the New World and Oceana
To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in
England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Courtiss were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:
Courtis Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
- Zacheus Courtis, who arrived in America in 1635 [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Contemporary Notables of the name Courtis (post 1700)
Historic Events for the Courtis family
- Mr. Roy John Courtis (1920-1941), Australian Stoker from Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking [4]CITATION[CLOSE]
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp