Surname Curth - Meaning and Origin
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Curth: What does the surname Curth mean?
The last name Curth is of Germanic origin. Derived from the Old High German 'kurz,' which means "short" or "brief," the surname was likely given to a person who was physically short or to someone who was seen as having a short temper. The German term ‘curth’ is also associated with being swift or ‘keen.’
The name first appears in genealogical records in the early 12th century, in Bavaria, Germany. From there, it spread to the German-speaking regions of Austria, Switzerland, France, and beyond. Today, it is most common in Germany, Switzerland, and France.
In the United States, the surname Curth has been relatively uncommon until recently. It was not officially recorded in the United States until the 20th century, when immigrants brought it with them. There are currently fewer than 1000 individuals who identify as having the last name Curth in the United States.
Curth is notable for being one of the few surnames that has no distinct coat of arms. Those who bear the surname can still take pride in the name, as it has long been associated with qualities of short-tempered swiftness and strength.
Order DNA origin analysisCurth: Where does the name Curth come from?
The last name Curth is most commonly found in Germany and the surrounding regions. Within Germany, Curth is particularly associated with the northern region of Brandenburg, which is located north of Berlin.
The name Curth first appears as a surname in the 13th century, and is related to the old Germanic personal name "Konrad". It is believed to have evolved from the Middle Low German moniker "Kurtz" and could have come from different roots, including "Kunrad", "Kunrat" and "Kunedu".
In the 19th century, Curth was a popular name in Brandenburg, and was most frequently found in the area around Berlin. Since then, its popularity has spread and it is now found across the country. It is still particularly prevalent in Brandenburg though, and is commonly found in the area surrounding Berlin, as well as in the states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.
Outside of Germany, the surname Curth is much less common but does appear in other parts of Europe and the US. There is also a small number of people with the name Curth in countries such as Australia, Brazil, Canada and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Curth
Curth is a surname derived from either the Old High German word “curt,” meaning “short” or the Old English word “cirt,” meaning “agile” or “nimble.” Variants of the name Curth range from the more common Coort and Curte to the less standard variants such as Courte, Kurte, Korte, Kourt and Kort. Beyond these simple spelling variations, the surname Curth can also be found in a number of unique variations depending on the ethnic or linguistic origin of the family, such as the Russian “Kurtis,” the Dutch “Kurtsen,” the Germanic “Kurten,” the Polish “Kurtecki” and the French “Curtil.” It is also worthwhile to note that the surname Curth was fairly common across Europe throughout the Middle Ages and some areas still bear evidence of the family name’s history such as the Cornish village of Kerrowkurte in England and the German city of Kürten.
Overall, the surname Curth is incredibly versatile and has spread to various ethnic and linguistic backgrounds over generations. As such, it is difficult not to find at least one variant of the name whether spoken in its original language or established in odd new forms.
Famous people with the name Curth
- Stephanie Curth: an American actress known for her roles in the films Hailee, Cookie, and ambiguity.
- Mark Curth: an American musician and member of the post-hardcore band, It Prevails.
- Christopher Curth: an American MMA coach and ambassador for the Legends of MMA promotion.
- Lewis Curth: a former British Army officer and recipient of the Knight Bachelor.
- Winfried Curth: a German diver who won a silver medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
- André Curth: a French actor and former professional rugby player.
- Claire Curth: an American singer and songwriter best known for her work with the music group EnVogue.
- George Curth: an American film director who directed the cult classic Blacula and the science fiction films The War of the Robots and Warlord.
- Emil Curth: a 19th-century German sculptor and creator of the Bockenheimer Tor monument.
- Alexandra Curth: a Swedish writer and author of the novels The Sycamore, The Seventh Sister, and The Sky Darkener.