Surname Caurtney - Meaning and Origin
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Caurtney: What does the surname Caurtney mean?
The last name Caurtney is an Irish surname, derived from the Gaelic name Mac Caurtney, which translates to meaning "son of Caurtney". The Caurtney family is believed to have originated in the province of Connacht, in the west of Ireland, where the Mac Caurtney sept were descended from Stewarts of the same name.
The Mac Caurtney name likely derives from the French name de Courtenay, which itself was derived from the Latin Curtus, meaning "short". The family was known for its loyalty to the Stewart dynasty, and was granted land in County Mayo and County Leitrim for their service.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Irish people bearing the surname Caurtney emigrated to the United States, and the family made new homes in cities like New York and Chicago. Furthermore, because of the prominence of people of Irish descent in the United States, the spelling of the name changed, becoming Courtney.
Today, the Caurtney name still bears an air of nobility and loyalty, qualities that were demonstrated by their ancestors centuries ago. Furthermore, many Courtney family members can trace their roots back to the Mac Caurtineys of Connacht, and appreciate the pride that comes with being a descendent of Irish nobility.
Order DNA origin analysisCaurtney: Where does the name Caurtney come from?
The last name Courtney is quite common, especially in English-speaking countries. It has spread from its origins in Ireland and the United Kingdom to North America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other parts of the world. In the United States, it is ranked as the 317th most popular surname. In Canada, it is also quite common and ranked as the 510th most common last name.
In the United Kingdom, Courtney is a relatively modern name, tracing back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. It appeared in Irish records beginning in the 12th century. It is assumed that it was brought to Ireland by a Norman-English family who had taken the name from the settlement of Curteen in Northamptonshire in England.
Courtney can also be found in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other parts of the world where it is believed to have arrived with British settlers. In Australia, Canada, and the United States today, Courtney is fairly evenly distributed around the country so that is most common in all provinces and states.
Overall, the Courtney name is widespread in English-speaking countries, with roots that go back centuries. It continues to be a popular choice, both now and in the foreseeable future.
Variations of the surname Caurtney
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Caurtney include COURTNEY, COWRTNEY, CORTNEY, CORTEEN, CORTNE, CORTNEYE, COURTNE, COURTNAY, COURTNAYE, CURTNEY, and CURTNAY.
Courtney is a surname derived from the place name of Courtney, in either Devon or Cornwall, England. It is believed to originate from the Old French word “curtis”, which referred to an enclosed area of land, or a court house. Courtney is most commonly found in the English speaking world with the spelling of Courtney, but there are variations and spellings across the world.
In some cases, the spelling of the last name has changed over time - Courtney has evolved into Courtnee, Courtenay, Cortney and Cortnee. Meanwhile, Curtney is the most common spelling of the name in Eastern Europe, especially in Russia, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.
In Scotland and Ireland, the surname Caurtney is spelled Caurtnee or Cowrtney. In Wales, the spelling is Courtnay. In France, the name is spelled Cortene and Cortneye. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the spelling is Courtne.
In the United States, Canada, and Australia, there are multiple spellings of Caurtney including Cortney, Courtnay, Courtnee, Curtney and Curtnay. Other spellings found in the United States are Corteney, Courtenay, Cortene, Cortny, and Cortnye.
Overall, the surname Caurtney is commonly found in both the English speaking world and throughout Europe in various spellings and variants. As each spelling develops from each nation and culture throughout the world, there are more and more slight changes to the surname as each individual and their family brings it to their new home country.
Famous people with the name Caurtney
- Courtney Love: American singer, songwriter, actress, and visual artist.
- Joe Courtney: American politician representing Connecticut’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Courtney Cox: American actress, producer, and director known for her role as Monica Geller on the NBC sitcom Friends.
- Adrianne Courtney: American YouTube star and model.
- David Courtney: British record producer, musician, writer, and song orchestral composer.
- Arthur Courtney: Former American football cornerback.
- Kerry Courtney: American makeup artist.
- Stephen Courtney: Canadian actor.
- Richard Courtney: English actor.
- Courtney Ballard: American NFL safety.
- Steven Courtney: American singer-songwriter and worship leader.
- Dylan Courtney: Former American football running back.
- Amanda Courtney: British singer-songwriter and musician.
- Ann Courtney: American actress.
- Luke Courtney: Former English cricketer.