Curtillier History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Curtillier

What does the name Curtillier mean?

The name Curtillier is derived from the Old French words "cortiller, courtuiller, cultilier" which mean "gardener" or is a derivative of the MIddle English word "curtil" or "kirtle," a maker of kirtles. Kirtles were a garment that was worn by men and women in the Middle Ages, eventually known to be a kirtle dress.

Early Origins of the Curtillier family

The surname Curtillier was first found in Essex where Geoffrey le Cultelier was registered as holding lands in the Pipe Rolls of 1186. William le Curtiller was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Wiltshire in 1199. Both entries point to the occupational nature of the name with the use of "le." Ralph Curtiler was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296 and William and Roger le Corteler were both listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327. 1

The Kirtley variant is derived from Kirkley, "a township in the parish of Ponteland, ten miles from Newcastle, Northumberland." 2

Early History of the Curtillier family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Curtillier research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1186, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Curtillier History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Curtillier Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Curtillier include Curtler, Courtler, Kirtler, Cirtler, Curtillier, Corteler, Cortler and many more.

Early Notables of the Curtillier family

More information is included under the topic Early Curtillier Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Curtillier family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Curtillier were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)