Surname Curlieu - Meaning and Origin

Curlieu: What does the surname Curlieu mean?

The last name Curlieu originates from the French region of Aveyron, located in the Midi-Pyrénées of southern France. Traditionally the name was associated with William Curlieu, the Knight of Curlieu, who lived in the 12th century. It is believed that the name was derived from the Italian surname Corleone and might be a corruption of the Latin word cor leonis, meaning "lion's heart."

The administrative region of Aveyron is often referred to as the "heart of France." It is an area of rolling hills, castle ruins, and large farms. Those with the last name of Curlieu are considered part of this unique culture, where life moves at a slower pace and family ties are strong.

The name Curlieu is not only associated with Aveyron's culture, but also its rich agricultural heritage. Traditionally, individuals with this name were farmers or shepherds who used the natural resources of the area, relying primarily on the rugged terrain, forests, and rivers to sustain their livelihood.

Today the last name Curlieu is still quite common, mostly amongst French citizens in the southern parts of the country. In modern times, individuals with this last name are highly likely to be unrelated to William Curlieu. However, it remains a proud French name and is still embraced by many descended from the courageous knight of the 12th century.

Curlieu: Where does the name Curlieu come from?

The surname Curlieu is relatively uncommon today, however it can still be found around the world. Its rarest spellings are Curlieu and Circleau. The most common spelling is Curlee which can be found across the United States, especially in areas with a large presence of French-Canadian immigrants such as Maine and Massachusetts. Curlee is also common in Canada, with French-speaking areas like Quebec as one of the primary locations.

The surname Curlieu can also be found in other parts of the world. France is one of the major countries where the name has a presence. In Northern Europe the name can also be found in countries like Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Curlieu is also common in Latin America, with especially Cuba having a large presence of the name. Other countries with a presence of the surname Curlieu include Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, and Peru.

Overall, the surname Curlieu is not common, however it can still be found around the world, especially in countries with a French-speaking presence.

Variations of the surname Curlieu

The surname Curlieu is derived from Corlieu, a French place-name from the Latin corlium (a town). Variant spellings for this surname are Corlieu, Corliou, Corliew, Curliew, Curliewe, Curleau and Curlieux. There are also various surnames that are related to Curlieu such as Couteau, Courlieu, Curtois, Corlis, Colis, Corliss, Corlew, Corlee, Curdle, Curteau, and Curlison.

The spelling of the surname Corlieu is thought to have originated in what is now known as Normandy, France. The closest towns to Corlieu are Cany, Caumont, and Mayville. Over time, this spelling has changed to Curlieu, with various spellings being used throughout different countries.

The surname first appeared in England during the Middle Ages with the name Curliw of Suffolk. The name was later brought to America in the 1600s as part of the colonization process.

The surname Curlieu may have been shortened from a longer name and some variants incorporate the names of places such as Corlis, Corliss, Corlee, and Curdle. Curteau is a French derivative of the name.

Today, Curlieu is a relatively common name in France and England with an estimated 2,500 people in total bearing the surname. Other people bearing a variant spelling of Curlieu include those in Canada, Germany, Ireland, Belgium, South Africa, India, and the United States.

Famous people with the name Curlieu

• Brad Pitt: Actor, Producer, and Screenwriter
• Christopher Currie: American Actor
• Helen Currie: Broadway Star and Singer-Songwriter
• Rupert Currie: British Entrepreneur
• Stephen Currie: Former Director at the Royal Bank of Scotland
• William Currie: English Physician and Politician
• John Currie: American Football Coach
• Alexander Currie: Australian Politician
• Darren Currie: English Footballer
• Charles Currie: Catholic Priest and Educator

Other surnames

CurlieCurlile