Surname Curts - Meaning and Origin
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Curts: What does the surname Curts mean?
The last name Curts is an English habitational surname derived from the Old English ‘curt’, meaning court or enclosure. It is believed to have originally been spelled ‘Curte’ and was used to describe a family associated with a particular income producing estate or property. This name was usually associated with landowners and those who served as protectors or military officers.
The earliest recorded use of this surname was in 1208, when Gilbert de la Curte was listed in the Assize Rolls. During this time, bouts of Black Death and the ensuing famine caused vast reductions in Britain’s population and as a result, many last names began to experience changes in spelling.
By the 15th Century, the Curts variant was used to describe families from Courthill, a small village in Devon, England. Similarly, it came to be used to denote those from a small hamlet called Curtors, located in the bordederlands of Devon and Cornwall. As time progressed and travel became easier, variations of this last name began to spread to other areas.
Today, the last name Curts is still used by countless families in both the United Kingdom and United States. While most variations of this name originate from England and Scotland, they are also commonly found throughout Ireland and America. As such, many of the individuals bearing this name today may have Scottish, English, Irish, or American ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisCurts: Where does the name Curts come from?
The last name Curts can be found throughout the United States, but is most common in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan. According to the 2020 US Census Bureau, the most Curts families live in Pennsylvania, with 1,163 households. This is followed by Ohio, with a little over 1,000 households reported.
The surname Curts is more widely spread in other parts of the world as well, particularly in Europe. Germany has the highest number of Curts families, with nearly 1,700 reported. This is followed by Austria and the Czech Republic, both with over 300 reported households.
When it comes to other parts of the world, the name Curts is less common. Canada has a reported 77 households, which is likely a result of immigration from the United States. Australia has just under 60 reported households, and all other countries combined have fewer than 60 reported households.
In conclusion, the last name Curts is most commonly found in the United States, particularly concentrated in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan. However, it can also be found in other parts of the world, notably in Europe and certain parts of North America and the Pacific.
Variations of the surname Curts
The surname Curts is an anglicised form of the Scottish or Irish surname MacArdle or MacCordle. This surname is derived from the Gaelic Mac Ardghail, which in turn is derived from the Old Gaelic personal name Ardghal, thought to mean "high valor." The sources of the Gaelic name are likely to be Norman, as French influence on Scotland during the Middle Ages is well known.
The most common variants of this surname are MacCordle, Cordle, Curts, Curtz, Courte, Corts, Court, and Courts. Spellings of MacCordle include MacCordull, McCordall, MacCordul, MacCordull, MacCordle, and MacCorldle. There may also be additional variants and spellings of the surname pending further research.
The surnames MacArdle and MacCordle are two of the oldest recorded variants of the surname, and there is evidence that both names have been in use since the late 13th century. MacArdle is mainly found in the historical records of Scotland and Ireland, whereas MacCordle can be found in both countries.
Due to the anglicisation of the surname and the widespread immigration of the Curts family throughout the last 400 years, the surname has been adopted by many families of other nationalities. In the United States, the most well-known variant is Curts, which is most common among those of British and Irish descent. In Europe, the name is primarily found among German and Austrian families.
The surname is still commonly found in the modern day, and is the name of several places and businesses across Scotland, Ireland and many other countries. It has also been the surname of several historical figures, including Irish politician, Colin MacArdle, and British engineer, William Curte.
Famous people with the name Curts
- Ryan Curts: American professional basketball player.
- Moore Curts: American professional soccer player.
- Marjorie Curts: American actress, singer and dancer.
- Sarah Curts: American singer and actor.
- Peter Curts: Australian rules football player.
- Elizabeth Curts: Australian voice actress.
- Mel Curts: Professional footballer and manager.
- Cristina Curts: Spanish film, television and theater actress.
- Richard Curts: British actor and novelist.
- Charles Curts: British author and theatre director.
- Stan Curts: American singer, songwriter, and saxophonist.
- John Curts: American historian and writer.
- David Curts: Australian professional cricketer.
- Raquel Curts: Brazilian fashion model.
- Stephanie Curts: Canadian sports broadcaster.
- Margaret Curts: Canadian politician.
- Roland Curts: American politician.
- Alfred Curts: American businessman and philanthropist.
- Andy Curts: Australian professional golfer.
- Adriana Curts: American singer and songwriter.