Curthoys

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 Somersetshire, 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.

References

• 1881 Census CURTHOYS