Surname Curbow - Meaning and Origin

Curbow: What does the surname Curbow mean?

The last name Curbow is derived from the French cureen, which is thought to be a developmental form of the medieval French curvin, itself derived from the Old French word curvin, meaning “a maker or dealer of bows and arrows”. The French language had been a dominant language across Europe, so there is a potential for the name to be a variation of the Latin curvus, meaning “bent, curved, bowed”.

The name Curbow is rare and has only been found in Britain and the United States, typically in Ireland, England and the United States. It is possible that the name could be of English or Irish origin, or that is a variation of the French cureen that has been anglicised over time.

Most often, the name Curbow is found as a surname, often indicating an occupational origin of an archer or the descendant of an archer. It is thought that the family made, dealt with, or sold bowed weapons such as bows and arrows in earlier times, likely occurring across the British Isles as well as mainland Europe.

In more recent times, those who have adopted the last name Curbow may find occurrences of the name in historical records maintained by church or civil authorities related to birth or marriage certifications, as well as in legal documents during the 17th and 18th centuries. The usage of this surname in recent centuries may stem from the frequent movement of people to parts of the world where they seek more lucrative occupations or an escape from political or religious conflict.

Curbow: Where does the name Curbow come from?

The last name Curbow is most commonly found in the United States and is often associated with people from the southern states. The majority of Curbows can be found in Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky.

Although the origin of the Curbow surname is uncertain, it is believed to have been derived from the word "curr," which means brave or bold. This could explain why so many Curbows are found in the South, since it is a region known for its strong sense of patriotism.

The number of people with the Curbow surname today is small, but many families have kept the tradition of passing it down from one generation to the next. Curbows can be found in urban and rural areas across the south, although they are more likely to be found in rural communities.

Many of these families can trace their roots back to the early 19th century, when the Curbow surname was first established in the region. Some of the first immigrants were primarily from England and Germany, and it is in these countries that the surname originated.

Today, if you want to connect with other Curbows, there are online resources that provide a wide range of ways to do so. From online forums to family ancestor research sites, there are tools available for anyone looking to track down more information about the Curbow surname.

Variations of the surname Curbow

The surname Curbow has many variants and spellings which may be used interchangeably. Common variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Curbow include Corbow, Corba, Corbae, Corbar, Corbaw, Corbey, Corbie, Corbiene, Corbier, Corble, Corbo, Corbould, Corbuield, Corbuld, Corbuck, Corby, Corbyne, Curba, Curber, Curbey, Curbie, Curbish, Curbo, Corfe, Corfield, Corfey, Corfie, Corfol, and Corfon. These variants and spellings can be found across different countries, although not all will be relevant in every region and some may be more common in certain areas than others.

The etymology of the surname is unclear, however some historians believe that it may have derived from the Latin word 'corbes', meaning 'basket' and was likely meant to refer to someone who made baskets. Alternatively, it may have been associated with the Norman word 'corbe', which is related to the Old French 'corbush', meaning 'tackle box' and other tools.

The dense history of the surname means that variants and spellings have been carried across generations, making it difficult to trace its exact origins. However, whatever spelling is used, it is clear that the Curbow surname family tree stretches back many hundreds of years, and its history continues to grow.

Famous people with the name Curbow

• Tom Curbow: Professional hockey player who was a member of the United States national team at the 1972 and 1980 Olympics
• Brett Curbow: Professional baseball pitcher who spent four seasons in the majors and was a member of the World Series winning Chicago Cubs in 2016
• Gabby Curbow: Singer-songwriter who specializes in Indie folk, alternative rock, and Americana
• Kim Curbow: Professional basketball player and coach, who was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015
• Lawrence Curbow: Entomologist and professor at the University of Florida who is an expert in insect plant interactions
• David Curbow: Classical guitarist, composer, and educator who has performed as a solo artist and with symphony orchestras in the United States
• John Curbow: Professional golfer and two time PGA Tour winner
• Monroe Curbow: Jazz musician, and trombonist who has performed with acts such as Maynard Ferguson and Mel Tormé
• Lindsey Curbow: Drawer and painter whose work has been featured in numerous galleries and exhibitions
• Lewis Curbow: Biomechanicist and professor who has developed and tested a variety of sports technology prototypes.

Other surnames

Curbo