The name Cursum was brought to
England in the great wave of migration following the
Norman Conquest of 1066. The Cursum family lived in
Derbyshire. The family originally lived in Notre
Dame de Curson in Calvados,
Normandy, and it is from this location that their name derives.
Early Origins of the Cursum family
The surname Cursum was first found in
Derbyshire where they held a
family seat as Lords of the Manor of Curzon. Geraldine (Giraline) arrived in
England with William the Conqueror in 1066 A.D., and attended him at Hastings.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print. Geraldine came from Notre
Dame de Curson in Calvados in
Normandy. By 1086, the taking of the
Domesday Book survey, his son Hubert had also acquired the lands of West Lockinge in Berkshire. The family also continued in
Normandy and Hubert was the Lord of Curson in 1223. Kedleston Hall in Kedleston,
Derbyshire is one of the most well known family seats the Curzon family who have held the estate since 1297. Today it is a National Trust property. "The large and elegant mansion of Farnah Hall [in Duffield, Derbyshire], a seat of the Curzon family, stands in a fine park, near the Wirksworth road."
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Early History of the Cursum family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cursum research.
Another 124 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1609, 1599, 1686, 1640, 1648, 1611, 1682, 1657, 1727, 1678, 1750, 1687 and 1765 are included under the topic Early Cursum History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Cursum Spelling Variations
Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of
spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to
England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Curzon, Curson, Cursone, Courson, Courzon and others.
Early Notables of the Cursum family (pre 1700)
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Curzon of Kedleston Hall,
High Sheriff of
Derbyshire (1609); and his son, Sir John Curzon, 1st
Baronet (c.1599-1686), an English politician, Member of Parliament for...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cursum Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Cursum family to the New World and Oceana
Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Cursum or a variant listed above: Pierre Courson who settled in Louisiana in 1719.
The Cursum Motto
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Let Curzon holde what Curzon helde
Motto Translation: Let Curzon hold what Curzon held