Curtis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Italy

Etymology of Curtis

What does the name Curtis mean?

The name Curtis reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Curtis family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Curtis is based on refined or "denoting a man of good education." 1. The name is derived from the Old French word curteis, which means refined or accomplished. 2

"William de Curtis was of Normandy, 1180; Robert Curteis gave lands to Gloucester Abbey, temp. Rufus. William le Curteis, temp. Henry II., was a benefactor to West Dereham Abbey, Norfolk." 3

Early Origins of the Curtis family

The surname Curtis was first found in Warwickshire where the name first appeared as a forename as in Curteis de Capella who was listed in the Pipe Rolls for 1130. By 1200, the Curia Regis Rolls listed Curteis de Catebr in Cambridgeshire and in Bedfordshire, Richard Curteis was found in the Pipe Rolls for 1166. The name was scattered throughout Britain since early times as Robert le Curteis was found in the Pipe Rolls for Devon in 1168 and Ralph le Curtoys was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Lincolnshire in 1230. Up in Yorkshire, John le Korteys was listed at Kirkstall in 1238 and in Sussex, John Corties was found in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. 1

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. 4 Over one hundred years later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists Adam Curtase and Johannes Cartas. 4

We found this interesting entry for one the family in the town of Lostwithiel, Cornwall: "The church contains a memorial for Tristram Curtys, Esq. who died in the year 1423. This family, which is now extinct, occasionally represented this borough from the reign of Edward I. to that of Henry V. Tristram Curtys was member for Lostwithiel in the 9th of Henry V. Leland speaks of his descendant as having 100 marks of land, between Blowgham and Penknek, by Lostwithiel. " 5

The name is "best represented in Buckinghamshire, and afterwards in Nottinghamshire. This is an ancient English name, occurring, as it does now, in Buckinghamshire, Essex, and Lincolnshire in the reign of Edward I.; it was also at that time numerous in Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire. Characteristic of the south, and east of England south of the Humber." 6

Early History of the Curtis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Curtis research. Another 161 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1130, 1168, 1531, 1532, 1534, 1550, 1552, 1553, 1556, 1559, 1566, 1582, 1662, 1663, 1740, 1746, 1762, 1769, 1771, 1775, 1778, 1799, 1816, 1818, 1819 and 1832 are included under the topic Early Curtis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Curtis 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. Curtis has been recorded under many different variations, including Curtis, Curtiss, Curtyss, Curtys, Curtess, Curtes, Cortes, Cortis and many more.

Early Notables of the Curtis family

Sir Roger Curtis (1746-1816), admiral, was the son of Mr. Roger Curtis of Downton in Wiltshire, and presumably descended from that Roger Curtis who served with Sir John Lawson on board the Swiftsure...
William Curtis (1746-1799), English botanist, was born at Alton in Hampshire in 1746. When but fourteen years old he was apprenticed to his grandfather, an apothecary. He appears to have acquired his...

Curtis World Ranking

the United States, the name Curtis is the 270^th most popular surname with an estimated 99,480 people with that name. 7 However, in Canada, the name Curtis is ranked the 573^rd most popular surname with an estimated 8,662 people with that name. 8 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Curtis is the 200^th popular surname with an estimated 210 people with that name. 9 Australia ranks Curtis as 234^th with 14,625 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Curtis as 265^th with 2,293 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Curtis as 214^th with 26,880 people. 12

Migration of the Curtis family to Ireland

Some of the Curtis family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 93 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Curtis migration to the United States +

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. Curtiss were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Curtis Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Curtis, aged 22, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Flying Hart" 14
Thomas Curtis, aged 24, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Flying Hart" 14
Thomas Curtis, aged 24, who arrived in Virginia in 1625 14
John Curtis, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1632 aboard the ship "Lyon" 14
William Curtis, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1632 aboard the ship "Lyon" 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Curtis Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Mark Curtis, who landed in Virginia in 1703 14
Martha Curtis, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 14
Thomas Curtis, who landed in Virginia in 1714 14
Isabella Curtis, who landed in Virginia in 1717 14
James Curtis, who landed in America in 1764 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Curtis Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Francisco Curtis, aged 32, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1829 14
Antonio Curtis, aged 40, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1829 14
Arthisa Curtis, aged 35, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1831 14
C Curtis, aged 46, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1846 14
Mr. S. Curtis, (b. 1814), aged 34, Cornish mechanic departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Mountaineer" arriving in the United States on 29th May 1848 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Curtis Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. John Curtis, (b. 1878), aged 22, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 4th March 1900 16
Mr. John Curtis, (b. 1862), aged 42, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Germanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 12th September 1904 en route to Negaunee, Michigan, USA 16

Curtis migration to Canada +

Curtis Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Curtis, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Joseph Curtis, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
William Curtis, who arrived in Anapolis (Annapolis), Nova Scotia in 1760
Mr. Andrew Curtis U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1783, listed as signing the Quaker Loyalist agreement 17
Mr. Ebenezer Curtis U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1783; member of the Cape Ann Association 17

Curtis Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Truman Meeds Curtis, who landed in Canada in 1830
John Curtis, who landed in Canada in 1831
Patrick Curtis, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Cupid" in 1834
Mary Curtis, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Cupid" in 1834
William Curtis, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Curtis migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Miss Esther Curtis, (b. 1772), aged 16, British settler convicted in London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13

Second Fleet

Mr. James Curtis, (Wetherill), British settler convicted in Norfolk, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 14

Following the First and Second Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Curtis Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Curtis, (b. 1775), aged 28, British convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for life for house breaking, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the "Queen" in 1804 18
Miss Esther Curtis, British Convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
Miss Jane Curtis, British settler who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for house breaking, transported aboard the "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
Mr. James Curtis, English convict who was convicted in Exeter, Devon, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
Mr. Joseph Curtis, (b. 1796), aged 20, English seaman who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 22
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Curtis migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Curtis Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

W H Curtis, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
John James Curtis, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Priscilla Curtis, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship London
George Curtis, aged 34, a millwright, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
Priscilla Curtis, aged 36, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Curtis migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 23

Curtis Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

James Curtis, aged 18, who arrived in St Christopher in 1635 14
Elizabeth Curtis, aged 22, who landed in Barbados in 1635 aboard the ship "Falcon" 14

Contemporary Notables of the name Curtis (post 1700) +

Jamie Lee Curtis (b. 1958), American BAFTA Award, Golden Globe and Saturn Award winning movie actress who received a Golden Globe and a People's Choice Award for her portrayal of Hannah Miller on the ABC sitcom Anything But Love (1989–1992) and Academy Award winner for Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), daughter of Tony Curtis
Sonny Curtis (1937-2025), American singer and songwriter, known for his collaborations with Buddy Holly, and for writing the Mary Tyler Moore theme, inducted into three music Halls of Fame including the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame
Jack Patrick Curtis (1937-2025), American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who worked in 69 games in for the Chicago Cubs (1961-1962), Milwaukee Braves (1962) and Cleveland Indians (1963)
George William Curtis (1824-1892), American Republican politician, Delegate to New York State Constitutional Convention, 1867; Presidential Elector for New York, 1868 24
Walt Curtis (1941-2023), American poet, novelist, and painter from Portland, Oregon
Lois Jeanette Curtis (1967-2022), American artist and the lead plaintiff in the United States Supreme Court case that became known as the Olmstead Decision
James Michael "Mike" Curtis (1943-2020), American NFL football player for the Baltimore Colts, the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins from 1965 to 1978
Robert Curtis Jr. (1990-2017), American football and basketball player
Charles "Chuck" Curtis (1935-2016), American college and NFL football coach, head coach at the University of Texas at Arlington
... (Another 196 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Curtis family +

Grover Shoe factory

Miss Mary J. Curtis, American employee of the Grover Shoe factory in Brockton, Massachusetts on 20th March 1905 when the boiler exploded and collapsed the wooden building; she died 25
Mrs. Mary Curtis, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 26
Mr. Clifford Leslie James Curtis (1919-1941), Australian Wireman from Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 27
Mr. Richard Curtis (1908-1941), Australian Petty Officer from Alphington, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 28
Mr. Richard Curtis, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 28
... (Another 13 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-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)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
California Digital Newspaper from 21st March 1905 (retrieved on 5th August 2021.) Retrieved from https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19050321.2.19&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html