Meaning and Origin of: Curtis

Curtis has Spanish and Old French origins, meaning "Courteous."

Boy name origins & meanings

  • Spanish : Courteous; variation of Curtis
  • Latin : Court
  • Old French : Courteous

Family name origins & meanings

  • English : nickname for a refined person, sometimes no doubt given ironically, from Old French, Middle English curteis, co(u)rtois ‘refined’, ‘accomplished’ (a derivative of Old French court, see Court 1).
  • English : from Middle English curt ‘short’ + hose ‘leggings’, hence a nickname for a short person or one who wore short stockings. This nickname was borne by William the Conqueror’s son Robert, but it is not clear whether it has given rise to any surnames.
  • Altered form of French Courtois.

Famous people with this last name