Curtis or Curtiss is a common English

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a ...

and surname of Anglo-Norman origin from the

Old French Old French (, , ; Modern French: ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France from approximately the 8th to the 14th centuries. Rather than a unified language, Old French was a linkage of Romance dialects, mutually intellig ...

''curteis'' (

Modern French French ( or ) is a Romance language of the Indo-European family. It descended from the Vulgar Latin of the Roman Empire, as did all Romance languages. French evolved from Gallo-Romance, the Latin spoken in Gaul, and more specifically in No ...

''courtois'') which derived from the Spanish Cortés (of which Cortez is a variation) and the

Portuguese Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language ** Portu ...

and Galician Cardoso. The name means "polite, courteous, or well-bred". It is a compound of ''curt-'' "court" and ''-eis'' "-ish". The spelling ''u'' to render in Old French was mainly Anglo-Norman and Norman, when the spelling ''o'' was the usual Parisian French one, Modern French ''ou'' ''-eis'' is the

suffix for ''-ois'', Western French (including Anglo-Norman) keeps ''-eis'', simplified to ''-is'' in English. The word ''court'' shares the same etymology but retains a Modern French spelling, after the orthography had changed.T. F. Hoad, ''English Etymology'', Oxford University Press paperbook 1993. p. 101a It was brought to England (and subsequently, the rest of the Isles) via the

Norman Conquest The Norman Conquest (or the Conquest) was the 11th-century invasion and occupation of England by an army made up of thousands of Norman, Breton, Flemish, and French troops, all led by the Duke of Normandy, later styled William the Con ...

. In the United Kingdom, the name Curtis was at its height in 1996, when it was the 78th most popular boy's name in England and Wales. Curtis was the 72nd most popular boy's name in 1963 in the United States, but has declined in popularity there since. Many Hungarian immigrants in

English-speaking countries The following is a list of English-speaking population by country, including information on both native speakers and second-language speakers. List * The European Union is a supranational union composed of 27 member states. The total En ...

with the last name Kertész have adopted the name ''Curtis'', since it is pronounced similarly and helped them integrate into their new community.

Surname

People

* Adam Curtis (born 1955), English television documentarian * Alan Curtis (disambiguation), multiple people *

Alice B. Curtis Alice Bertha Curtis (January 1, 1874–April 19, 1956) was an American suffragist active with the National American Woman's Suffrage Association, a college professor, author of two fictionalized childhood memoirs, ''Children of the Prairie'' (1938 ...

(1874–1956), American suffragist, writer * Alice Turner Curtis (1860–1958), American writer * Alison Curtis (born 1977), Canadian-Irish radio presenter * Allen Curtis (1877–1961), American film director * Andrew Curtis (cricketer) (born 1943), English cricketer * Anne Curtis (born 1985), Philippine actress * Anthony Curtiss (1919–1981), American naturalist, elder brother of Sydney Curtiss and Thomas Quinn Curtiss * Aubyn Curtiss (1925–2017), American politician * Benjamin Curtis (disambiguation), also Ben Curtis, multiple people *

Cathrine Curtis Cathrine Curtis (1889 - 1955) was an American actress, film producer, investor, and radio personality. She was one of the first female film producers and was also a political organizer noted for her far-right views. Early life Curtis was bor ...

(1889- ?), American actress *

Catie Curtis Catie Curtis (born 22 May 1965) is an American singer-songwriter working primarily in the folk rock idiom. Her most recent album recording,''The Raft,'' was released in 2020. Career Curtis was raised in Saco, Maine. By the age of fifteen she ...

(born 1965), American singer-songwriter *

Chad Curtis Chad David Curtis (born November 6, 1968) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and convicted sex offender. Curtis played major league baseball from 1992 to 2001 for the California Angels, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cle ...

(born 1968), American former major league baseball player convicted of sexual assault * Charles Curtis (botanist) (1853–1928), English botanist who became the first superintendent of the Penang Botanic Gardens * Charles Curtis (disambiguation), several people *

Charles Curtis Charles Curtis (January 25, 1860 – February 8, 1936) was an American attorney and Republican politician from Kansas who served as the 31st vice president of the United States from 1929 to 1933 under Herbert Hoover. He had served as the Sena ...

(1860–1936), 31st vice president of the United States (1929–1933) * Charles Curtiss (1908–1993), American communist * Charles W. Curtis (born 1926), American mathematician * Chet Curtis (1939–2014), American journalist * Chris Curtis (1941–2005), English musician, member of The Searchers * Chuck Curtis (1935–2016), American football coach * Cliff Curtis (baseball) (1881–1943), American baseball player *

Cliff Curtis Clifford Vivian Devon Curtis (born 27 July 1968) is a New Zealand actor. His film credits include '' Once Were Warriors'' (1994), ''Three Kings'' (1999), ''Training Day'' (2001), '' Whale Rider'' (2002), ''Collateral Damage'' (2002), '' Sunshin ...

(born 1968), New Zealand film and television actor * Cyrus H. K. Curtis (1850–1933), American magazine publisher * David Curtis (disambiguation), multiple people *

Dexter Curtis Dexter Curtis (September 12, 1828 – May 15, 1898) was an American inventor, businessman, and politician. Born in Schenectady, New York, Curtis grew up on a farm. He was in the lumber business and lived in Louisiana, Michigan, and Chicago, Ill ...

(1828–1898), American inventor and politician *

Dick Curtis Richard Dye (May 11, 1902January 3, 1952), known professionally as Dick Curtis, was an American actor who made over 230 film and television appearances during his career. Early years Curtis was born in Newport, Kentucky, the son of Frank Dy ...

(1902–1952), American actor * Edmund Curtis (1881–1943), historian and Professor of History * Edward S. Curtis (1868–1952), photographer * Edwin Curtis (1906–1999), English Anglican archbishop in Mauritius * Elden Francis Curtiss (born 1932), American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church * Emma Curtiss Bascom (1828–1916), American educator, suffragist and reformer *George M. Curtis (New York politician) (1840–1915), American lawyer, politician and judge * George Ticknor Curtis (1812–1894), American politician and lawyer * George William Curtis (1824–1892), American writer and public speaker *

Glenn Curtiss Glenn Hammond Curtiss (May 21, 1878 – July 23, 1930) was an American aviation and motorcycling pioneer, and a founder of the U.S. aircraft industry. He began his career as a bicycle racer and builder before moving on to motorcycles. As early a ...

(1878–1930), American aviation pioneer *

(1878–1930), American aviation pioneer and founder of the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company * H. W. Curtiss (1824–1902), American politician * Harriot Curtis (1881–1974), American golfer * Harry Curtis (baseball) (1883–1951), American baseball player *

Heber Doust Curtis Heber Doust Curtis (June 27, 1872 – January 9, 1942) was an American astronomer. He participated in 11 expeditions for the study of solar eclipses, and, as an advocate and theorist that additional galaxies existed outside of the Milky Way, wa ...

(1872–1942), American astronomer * Helen Noble Curtis (1874 - 1961), American activist, volunteer, educator and speaker * Ian Curtis (1956–1980), English musician, lead singer of Joy Division *

James Curtiss James Curtiss (also Curtis; March 29, 1806 – November 2, 1859) was an American politician who twice served as Mayor of Chicago, Illinois (1847–1848 and 1850–1851) for the Democratic Party. Early life Born on April 7, 1806 in Wethers ...

(1803–1859), American politician *

Jamie Lee Curtis Jamie Lee Curtis (born November 22, 1958) is an American actress, producer, children's author, and activist. She came to prominence with her portrayal of Lt. Barbara Duran on the ABC sitcom '' Operation Petticoat'' (1977–78). In 1978, she m ...

(born 1958), American actress * Jasmine Curtis (born 1994), Filipino actress * Jim Curtiss (1861–1945), American professional baseball player *

John Curtis (disambiguation) John Curtis may refer to: Politics * John Curtis (burgess) (fl. 1659–1660), North American colonial British planter and politician * John Curtis (English politician) (c. 1751–1813), English Member of Parliament for Wells, 1782–1784 and Steyn ...

, several people *

John Curtiss Underwood John Curtiss Underwood (March 14, 1809 – December 7, 1873) was an attorney, abolitionist politician and a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Virginia and the United States District Court for ...

(1809–1873), American lawyer, abolitionist politician, and federal judge * John Curtiss (Royal Air Force officer) (1924–2013), British Royal Air Force officer * John Shelton Curtiss (1899–1983), American historian of Russia and historical scholar of old Yankee stock * Joseph S. Curtis (1831–1878), American politician and lawyer * Julian Wheeler Curtiss (1858–1944), golf equipment manufacturer * Kathlyn Curtis, Manitoba judge * Kelly Curtis (born 1956), American actress *

Kevin Curtis Kevin Devon Curtis (born July 17, 1978) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Utah State and was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. ...

(born 1978), American football player *

King Curtis Curtis Ousley (born Curtis Montgomery; February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), known professionally as King Curtis, was an American saxophonist who played rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock and roll. A bandleader, band member, and session musician ...

(1934–1971), American saxophonist * L. Perry Curtis (born 1932), American historian of Ireland * Larry Curtiss, American chemist * Lee Curtis (born Peter Flannery), British musician * Leon Curtiss (1861–1934), American politician *

Lionel George Curtis Lionel George Curtis CH (1872–1955) was a British official and author. He advocated British Empire Federalism and, late in life, a world state. His ideas concerning dyarchy were important in the development of the Government of India Ac ...

(1872–1955), founder of the Royal Institute of International Affairs * Louis Curtiss (1865–1924), Canadian-born American architect *

Louisa Knapp Curtis Louisa Knapp Curtis (October 21, 1851 – February 25, 1910), (also known as Louisa Knapp), was an American columnist and the first editor of the '' Ladies' Home Journal'' from 1883 to 1889. It became one of the most popular magazines published ...

(1851–1910), columnist and first editor of The Ladies Home Journal * Mac Curtis (1939–2013), American musician *

Margaret Curtis Margaret Curtis (October 8, 1883 – December 24, 1965) was an American golf and tennis champion and lifelong social worker. From the Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts area, she was the youngest of ten children. Her father was a colonel i ...

(1883–1965), American golfer and tennis player *

Mark Curtis (British author) Mark Curtis is a British author, historian and journalist who is the co-founder and editor of media organisation '' Declassified UK''. He is also the author of several books on British foreign policy since the Second World War, including '' Secr ...

, British political author * Mark Curtis (SWP member) (born 1959), former American Socialist Worker's Party member * Martha E. Sewall Curtis (1858–1915), American suffragist, writer * Mary C. Curtis (born 1953), American journalist * Mary Louise Curtis Bok Zimbalist (1876–1970), founder of the Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia *

Matt Curtis Matthew Aaron Curtis (born August 14, 1974) is an American college baseball coach and former catcher. He played college baseball at Fresno State University from 1993 to 1996 for coach Bob Bennett. He was the head coach of the California State Un ...

, American college baseball coach *

McClendon Curtis McClendon Jerrell Curtis (born September 16, 1999) is an American football offensive guard for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Chattanooga. Early years Curtis grew up in Chattanooga, Tenn ...

(born 1999), American football player * Michael Curtis (disambiguation), several people *

Moses Ashley Curtis Moses Ashley Curtis (11 May 1808 – 10 April 1872) was a noted American botanist. Biography Curtis was born in Stockbridge, Massachusetts and educated at Williams College in Massachusetts. After graduating, he became a tutor for the children of ...

(M.A. Curtis, 1808–1872), American botanist and mycologist * Nannie Webb Curtis (1861-1920), American lecturer, temperance activist, clubwoman * Norman Curtis (footballer) (1924–2009), English football player *

Patrick Curtis (bishop) Patrick Curtis (1740 – 26 July 1832) was an Irish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland from 1819 to 1832., ''The Episcopal Succession in England, Scotland and Ireland, volume 1' ...

(1740–1832), Irish archbishop * Patrick Curtis (producer) (born 1938), American producer * Philip Curtis (1926–1951), English soldier *

Philip Curtiss Philip Everett Curtiss (April 10, 1885 - May 23, 1964) was a politician, novelist, and newspaper reporter in Connecticut. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut.https://books.google.com/books?id=4Y0DAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA10 = photo A Republican, he served i ...

(1885–1964), politician, novelist, and newspaper reporter * Ralph Hamilton Curtiss (1880–1929), American astronomer * Reginald Salmond Curtis (1863–1922), British soldier *

Richard Curtis Richard Whalley Anthony Curtis (born 8 November 1956) is a New Zealand-born British screenwriter, producer and film director. One of Britain's most successful comedy screenwriters, he is known primarily for romantic comedy films, among them '' ...

(born 1956), British comedy scriptwriter * Ronan Curtis (born 1996), Irish football player *

Roy Curtiss Roy is a masculine given name and a family surname with varied origin. In Anglo-Norman England, the name derived from the Norman ''roy'', meaning "king", while its Old French cognate, ''rey'' or ''roy'' (modern ''roi''), likewise gave rise to ...

, American microbiologist * Samuel Curtis (S.Curtis, 1779–1860), English botanist *

Samuel Ryan Curtis Samuel Ryan Curtis (February 3, 1805 – December 26, 1866) was an American military officer and one of the first Republicans elected to Congress. He was most famous for his role as a Union Army general in the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the ...

(1805–1866), Union General in the American Civil War * Sarah Curtis (geographer), British geographer and academic * Scott Curtis (American football) (born 1964), American football player * Scott Curtis (born 1984), American actor and musician *

Sidney Curtiss Sidney Quinn Curtiss (September 4, 1917 – January 24, 1994) was an American politician who was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1949 to 1979. Early life Curtiss was born on September 4, 1917 in Sheffield, Massachuset ...

(1917–1994), American politician * Thomas Bradford Curtis (1911–1993), American Representative from Missouri * Thomas Quinn Curtiss (1915–2000), French-born writer, and film and theatre critic *

Tom Curtis (disambiguation) Tom Curtis may refer to: * Tom Curtis (American football) (born 1947), American football player * Tom Curtis (footballer) Thomas David Curtis (born 1 March 1973) is an English retired professional footballer who is England's youth developmen ...

, several people *

Tommy Curtis Thomas Lewis Curtis (January 8, 1952August 3, 2021) was an American college basketball player for the UCLA Bruins. He played on two undefeated national championship teams at UCLA. He did not lose a game in college until his final season, help ...

(1952–2021), American college basketball player *

Tony Curtis Tony Curtis (born Bernard Schwartz; June 3, 1925September 29, 2010) was an American actor whose career spanned six decades, achieving the height of his popularity in the 1950s (Kansas Raiders, 1950) and early 1960s. He acted in more than 100 f ...

(1925–2010), American actor * Ulysses Curtis (1926–2013), American football player * Virginia Henry Curtiss Heckscher (1875–1941), president of The Heckscher Foundation for Children * Walker M. Curtiss (1852–1917), American politician * Wayne Curtis (footballer, born 1967), Welsh football player * Willa Pearl Curtis (1896–1970), American actress * William Curtis (1746–1799), English botanist * Zelda Curtis (1923–2012), English author and journalist

Fictional characters

* Randall Curtis, character on ''

The Simpsons ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer Simpson, Homer, Marge ...

'' based on George Lucas * Rey Curtis, character on ''Law & Order'' * Izumi Curtis, character in ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' * Three brothers on The Outsiders, Ponyboy Curtis (the novel's narrator), Sodapop Curtis and Darrel "Darry" Curtis * Jackson Curtis and Kate Curtis, fictional characters from

2012 (film) ''2012'' is a 2009 American science fiction disaster film directed by Roland Emmerich. It was produced by Harald Kloser, Mark Gordon, and Larry J. Franco, and written by Kloser and Emmerich. The film stars John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Chiwe ...

* Curtis Hagen, character on White Collar

Given name

People

* Curtis Armstrong (born 1953), American actor * Curtis Bolton (born 1995), American football player *

Curtis Brooks Curtis Brooks (born February 6, 1998) is an American football defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Cincinnati. Professional career Indianapolis Colts Brooks was selec ...

(born 1998), American football player * Curtis Browning (born 1993), Australian Rugby Union player * Curtis Bush (born 1962), American kickboxer * Curtis Cheng, Hong Kong-Australian unsworn police employee shot dead by an Arab extremist * Curtis Cregan (born 1977), American singer and actor * Curtis Enis (born 1976), NFL running back *

Curtis Granderson Curtis Granderson Jr. (born March 16, 1981), nicknamed the "Grandyman", is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Ange ...

(born 1981), New York Mets outfielder *

Curtis Hanson Curtis Lee Hanson (March 24, 1945 – September 20, 2016) was an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. His directing work included the psychological thriller '' The Hand That Rocks the Cradle'' (1992), the neo-noir crime film ''L. ...

(born 1945), American filmmaker *

Curtis Hodges Curtis Hodges Jr. (born July 3, 1999) is an American football tight end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arizona State and was signed by Washington as an undrafted free agent in 20 ...

(born 1999), American football player * Curtis Jackson III (born 1975), American rapper, actor and entrepreneur (better known as 50 Cent) * Curtis Jerrells (born 1987), basketball player for Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Premier League * Curtis Joseph (born 1967), Canadian ice hockey goaltender * Curtis Lazar, ice hockey player *

Curtis Lee Curtis Edwin Lee (October 28, 1939 – January 8, 2015) was an American singer of the early 1960s, who was twice a beneficiary of Phil Spector's productions in 1961. These were " Pretty Little Angel Eyes" ( US #7) and " Under the Moon of Love" ...

(1939–2015), American singer *

Curtis LeMay Curtis Emerson LeMay (November 15, 1906 – October 1, 1990) was an American Air Force general who implemented a controversial strategic bombing campaign in the Pacific theater of World War II. He later served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air ...

(1906–1990), American general in the United States Air Force *

Curtis Martin Curtis James Martin Jr. (born May 1, 1973) is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with the New York Jets. He spent his first three seasons with the New England Patrio ...

(born 1973), American football player *

Curtis Mayfield Curtis Lee Mayfield (June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, and one of the most influential musicians behind soul and politically conscious African-American music.

(1942–1999), American singer-songwriter *

Curtis Naughton Curtis Naughton (born 25 February 1995) is a professional rugby league footballer who last played for Hull F.C. in the Super League. He plays as a or on the . Background Naughton was born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England. Playing career ...

(born 1995), English Rugby League player * Curtis Painter (born 1985), American football quarterback * Curtis Reitz (born ), Algernon Sydney Biddle Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School *

Curtis Robb Curtis Robb (born 7 June 1972) is a former British middle distance runner, who competed at two consecutive Summer Olympics for Great Britain, in 1992 and 1996. Running career Robb first began running with Liverpool Harriers & AC, a racing team ...

(born 1972), British middle-distance runner *

Curtis Robinson Curtis Robinson (born June 2, 1998) is an American football inside linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Stanford. College career Robinson was a member of the Stanford Cardin ...

(born 1998), American football player *

Curtis Rowe Curtis Rowe, Jr. (born July 2, 1949) is an American retired basketball player. A 6'7" forward from UCLA, Rowe was drafted by the Dallas Chaparrals in the 1971 ABA Draft and by the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 1971 NBA Draft. Ro ...

(born 1949), American basketball player *

Curtis Salgado Curtis Salgado (born February 4, 1954, in Everett, Washington, United States) is a Portland, Oregon-based blues, blues rock, and blue-eyed soul singer-songwriter. He plays harmonica and fronts his own band as lead vocalist. Career Salgado b ...

(born 1954), rhythm and blues musician and singer-songwriter * Curtis Samuel (born 1996), American football player * Curtis Sironen (born 1993), Australian Rugby League player *

Curtis Stigers Curtis Stigers (born October 18, 1965) is an American jazz singer. He achieved a number of hits in the early 1990s, most notably the international hit " I Wonder Why" (1991), which reached No. 5 in the UK and No. 9 in the US. Career S ...

(born 1965), American singer-songwriter *

Curtis Stone Curtis Travis Stone (born 4 November 1975) is an Australian celebrity chef, author and television personality. Stone has been the fresh food and recipes ambassador for Coles Supermarkets in Australia since 2010. Early life Stone was born in ...

(born 1975), Australian TV chef *

Curtis Strange Curtis Northrup Strange (born January 30, 1955) is an American professional golfer and TV color commentator. He is the winner of consecutive U.S. Open titles and a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. He spent ...

(born 1955), American professional golfer * Curtis Warren (born 1963), British criminal * Curtis Weaver (born 1998), American football player * Curtis Woodhouse (born 1980), English football player and boxer *

Curtis Yarvin Curtis Guy Yarvin (born 1973), also known by the pen name Mencius Moldbug, is an American blogger, software engineer, and Internet entrepreneur. He is known, along with fellow theorist Nick Land, for founding the anti-egalitarian and anti-dem ...

(born 1973), American writer

Fictional characters

Curtis Holt (Arrowverse) ''Arrow'' is an American superhero television series developed by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, and Andrew Kreisberg based on the DC Comics character Green Arrow, a costumed crime-fighter created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, and is ...

, fictional character in ''Arrow on CW as Mister Terrific'' played by Actor Echo Kellum * Curtis Donovan, fictional character played by actor Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as part of the UK television series ''Misfits'' * Curtis Manning, fictional character played by Jamaican-Canadian actor Roger Cross as part of the television series ''24'' * Curtis Wilkins, fictional character from the comic strip ''Curtis'' * Curtis (Stargate), recurring character in ''Stargate Universe''

Middle name

People

* George Curtis Smith (1935–2020), United States District Court judge * Marron Curtis Fort (1938–2019), American-German translator and educator

Fictional characters

* Amy Curtis March, one of the main characters of the novel '' Little Women'' by Louisa May Alcott

References

{{given name, type=both English masculine given names English-language surnames

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Given name

People

Fictional characters

Middle name

People

Fictional characters

See also

References