Curthoys
Encyclopedia
Curthoys is a relatively uncommon surname, thought to derive from South West England
. It is believed to have roots in Norman or French expatriates from the 10th century onwards.
The origin of the surname remains unclear - one argument is that the name is an anglicisation of the French surname Courtoise. Data from the 1881 census shows a strong association of the surname with the area around the English city of Bristol
, both south Gloucestershire
and north Somerset
shire, and indicates that the name is uncommon. This suggests a degree of monogenesis (i.e. there was just one original Curthoys in the British Isles from whom all others are descended). It also suggests that the original use of the Curthoys name emerged in the recent generations prior to the 1881 census. This is a later date of origin than that of most English surnames.
It is believed that no English surnames can be formally traced back to the time of the Norman Conquest. However, the Curthoys surname has been linked to a corruption of the nickname "Curthose" as used for Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy, who was the eldest son of William the Conqueror
. The nickname, Curthose, comes from the Norman French "Courtheuse", meaning short stockings (or in English - curt [short] & hose [stockings] ), as sometimes translated.
Towards the end of Robert's life, he was imprisoned in Cardiff
, Bristol and Gloucester
Gaols by his younger brother Henry I
- where it is believed he was afforded the luxuries and privileges of royalty in that era, including frequent contact with local people. It remains uncertain whether his area of imprisonment, combined with the historic distribution of the surname, is more than coincidental.
South West England
South West England is one of the regions of England defined by the Government of the United Kingdom for statistical and other purposes. It is the largest such region in area, covering and comprising Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. ...
. It is believed to have roots in Norman or French expatriates from the 10th century onwards.
The origin of the surname remains unclear - one argument is that the name is an anglicisation of the French surname Courtoise. Data from the 1881 census shows a strong association of the surname with the area around the English city of Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, both south Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
and north Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
shire, and indicates that the name is uncommon. This suggests a degree of monogenesis (i.e. there was just one original Curthoys in the British Isles from whom all others are descended). It also suggests that the original use of the Curthoys name emerged in the recent generations prior to the 1881 census. This is a later date of origin than that of most English surnames.
It is believed that no English surnames can be formally traced back to the time of the Norman Conquest. However, the Curthoys surname has been linked to a corruption of the nickname "Curthose" as used for Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy, who was the eldest son of William the Conqueror
William I of England
William I , also known as William the Conqueror , was the first Norman King of England from Christmas 1066 until his death. He was also Duke of Normandy from 3 July 1035 until his death, under the name William II...
. The nickname, Curthose, comes from the Norman French "Courtheuse", meaning short stockings (or in English - curt [short] & hose [stockings] ), as sometimes translated.
Towards the end of Robert's life, he was imprisoned in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Bristol and Gloucester
Gloucester
Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....
Gaols by his younger brother Henry I
Henry I of England
Henry I was the fourth son of William I of England. He succeeded his elder brother William II as King of England in 1100 and defeated his eldest brother, Robert Curthose, to become Duke of Normandy in 1106...
- where it is believed he was afforded the luxuries and privileges of royalty in that era, including frequent contact with local people. It remains uncertain whether his area of imprisonment, combined with the historic distribution of the surname, is more than coincidental.