Surname Court - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Court: What does the surname Court mean?
The surname Court is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has multiple meanings, all of which tie back to the occupational or topographical origins that were common sources of surnames in medieval England.
One interpretation is that it is occupational, deriving from the Old French “curteis” which means “polite” or “courteous”. It was often given to a person who was a courtier, or an attendant at the royal court. This pointed to someone who had the manners and demeanor expected in royal circles.
Alternatively, it could also be topographical, given to people who lived near a court, manor, or royal palace. This was obtained from the Middle English, Old French "curt", meaning "court". Therefore it was used for a person living or working at a court.
Thirdly, it could be locational from any of the various places named with this word, such as Court-at-Street in Kent, or Court in Shropshire.
Like many surnames, the exact meaning can vary based on the family's history and origin. It is always helpful to look into personal family histories to understand the specific meaning for individual lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisCourt: Where does the name Court come from?
The surname Court is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old French "court," meaning a courtyard or royal court. It was often used as a topographic name for someone who lived near a court of justice, a royal residence, or a personal name for someone who worked at such places. This surname began to be used following the Norman Conquest of 1066.
The Court family name was first found in Somerset, England where the family held a family seat from very early times. Later, many branches of the same family acquired distant estates, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society.
Today, the Court surname is more commonly found in England and Australia. It's likely that Australian Courts are descendants of English emigrants. The Court surname is least common in the United States, despite earlier emigration to Virginia in the 17th Century. A significant number of people bearing the surname Court can also be found in France and Canada. However, it's important to note that the distribution of the Court surname can vary over time and is affected by historical and geographical factors.
Variations of the surname Court
The surname Court can be spelled in a variety of ways. The most common spelling variations include Cort, Couret, Courte, Coart, Coort, Cuort, and Kort.
The surname Court is mainly of French, English, and Irish origin. French variants stemming from the same origin include Courtois and Courtier. In England, the surname is derived from various locales named "Court", but can also originate from old French, Middle English term for a dweller at a court. So, related surnames based on place of residence can come into play such as Courtenay, Courtney, or Courtman. Irish versions of the name are typically Anglicized forms of the Gaelic Mac Cuarta, which originated in Tyrone.
Further, surnames like Courtenay or Courcy may also be considered as they might be geographically related, along with profession-based surnames like Courtier and Courtman.
Also, as many last names have undergone changes over time due to factors like migration, translation, or phonetic spelling, it's plausible that the surname Court may also have other less apparent variations.
Famous people with the name Court
- Margaret Court: An Australian former world No. 1 professional tennis player. She won a record 24 Grand Slam women's singles titles.
- Michel Court: A French former professional footballer.
- Andy Court: An accomplished television producer known for his work on CBS's '60 Minutes.'
- Justin Court: An American film and television production designer.
- Susan Court: American composer and performer.
- Tim Court: A British television director, known for directing numerous episodes of Emmerdale.
- Camilla de la Bedoyere (known as Camilla Court): A British author known for several children’s books, especially on wildlife.
- John Court: A well-known music producer, especially recognized for his work with Janis Joplin.
- Alexandra Court: A businesswoman in the financial services industry, former Senior Wealth Advisor at Grayhawk Investment Strategies.
- Jason Court: An American actor known for his role as Jesus in the Visual Bible's "Matthew".
- Joseph Court: An English self-educated hosiery worker and Chartist.
- Richard Court: Former Premier of Western Australia.
- Jeff Court: A former Australian rules footballer.
- Tom Court: An Irish rugby union player.