NameCensus.

UK surname

Courtis

A surname derived from the French for "short", potentially referring to someone of small stature.

In the 1881 census there were 208 people recorded with the Courtis surname, ranking it #12,511 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 151, ranked #23,615, down from #12,511 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Agnes, London parishes and Wendron. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Courtis is 317 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 27.4%.

1881 census count

208

Ranked #12,511

Modern count

151

2016, ranked #23,615

Peak year

1851

317 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Courtis had 208 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,511 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 151 in 2016, ranked #23,615.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 317 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Courtis surname distribution map

The map shows where the Courtis surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Courtis surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Courtis over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 317 #7,308
1861 historical 241 #10,192
1881 historical 208 #12,511
1891 historical 219 #13,974
1901 historical 237 #13,574
1911 historical 246 #13,054
1997 modern 155 #20,684
1998 modern 154 #21,316
1999 modern 155 #21,375
2000 modern 149 #21,874
2001 modern 146 #21,857
2002 modern 157 #21,261
2003 modern 159 #20,881
2004 modern 152 #21,628
2005 modern 148 #21,961
2006 modern 140 #22,948
2007 modern 141 #23,137
2008 modern 142 #23,270
2009 modern 145 #23,473
2010 modern 146 #23,921
2011 modern 146 #23,736
2012 modern 152 #23,069
2013 modern 159 #22,706
2014 modern 155 #23,333
2015 modern 156 #23,106
2016 modern 151 #23,615

Geography

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Where Courtis' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Agnes, London parishes, Wendron, Kenwyn, Tregavethan and Plymouth St Charles the Martyr. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 St Agnes Cornwall
2 London parishes London 3
3 Wendron Cornwall
4 Kenwyn, Tregavethan Cornwall
5 Plymouth St Charles the Martyr Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 010 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 073 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 037 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 072 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 013 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Courtis

These lists show first names that appear often with the Courtis surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Courtis

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Courtis, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Courtis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Courtis household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Courtis is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Courtis is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Courtis falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Courtis is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Courtis, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Courtis

The surname Courtis has its origins in France, with records dating back to the Middle Ages. The name is thought to be derived from the Old French word "courtis," which referred to a small courtyard or enclosed area within a larger estate or manor.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and property holdings commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book contains entries for individuals with the surname Courtis, indicating their presence in various regions of England at the time.

During the 13th century, the name Courtis appeared in historical records in the region of Normandy, France. This suggests that the name may have originated in this area before spreading to other parts of Europe, potentially carried by Norman settlers and nobility.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the Courtis surname was Jean Courtis (c. 1320-1385), a French nobleman and landowner who held significant influence in the region of Champagne. His descendants continued to use the surname, contributing to its perpetuation through the generations.

Another prominent individual with the Courtis surname was Sir William Courtis (c. 1450-1521), an English knight and military commander who served under King Henry VIII during the Wars of the Roses. Sir William was renowned for his bravery and tactical prowess on the battlefield.

In the 17th century, the name Courtis was also found in records from the Netherlands, particularly in the city of Amsterdam. One notable figure from this time was Pieter Courtis (1620-1697), a Dutch merchant and trader who established a successful business empire spanning multiple continents.

During the 18th century, the Courtis surname appeared in various parts of Europe, including Germany and Italy. One notable individual was Friedrich Courtis (1743-1812), a German philosopher and academic who made significant contributions to the field of ethics and moral philosophy.

In the 19th century, the Courtis surname gained recognition in the United States, where it was often associated with French and English immigrants who settled in various regions of the country. One notable figure from this period was Elizabeth Courtis (1825-1892), an American educator and advocate for women's rights, who played a influential role in the early women's suffrage movement.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Courtis families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Courtis surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Cornwall leads with 63 Courtis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.43x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 63 27.43x
Devon 62 14.68x
Glamorgan 13 3.68x
Kent 12 1.73x
Middlesex 12 0.59x
Cheshire 10 2.23x
Lanarkshire 8 1.22x
Lancashire 7 0.29x
Lincolnshire 6 1.85x
Northamptonshire 5 2.62x
Carmarthenshire 3 3.51x
Worcestershire 3 1.13x
Surrey 2 0.20x
Yorkshire 2 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plymouth St Andrew in Devon leads with 19 Courtis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 58.41x.

Place Total Index
Plymouth St Andrew 19 58.41x
Stoke Damerel 19 64.28x
Helston 17 711.30x
Deptford St Paul 8 14.98x
Plymouth Charles The 8 42.99x
St Luke London 8 24.59x
Glasgow 7 6.01x
Kilkhampton 7 1029.41x
Birkenhead 6 16.81x
Great Grimsby 6 29.14x
Gwennap 6 138.57x
Linkinhorne 6 375.00x
Mawgan In Meneage 6 1000.00x
Cardiff St Mary 5 25.69x
Wellingborough 5 52.08x
Wendron 5 156.74x
Ashton On Mersey 4 172.41x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 10.46x
Woolwich 4 15.64x
Cardiff St John 3 26.00x
Chelsea London 3 4.91x
Kidwelly 3 171.43x
Okehampton 3 188.68x
Worcester St Clement 3 178.57x
Barwick In Elmet 2 129.87x
Briton Ferry 2 47.51x
East Stonehouse 2 24.04x
Holsworthy 2 168.07x
Hulme 2 3.98x
Kenwyn 2 33.28x
Milton Abbott 2 327.87x
Oystermouth 2 73.26x
Redruth 2 30.77x
St Agnes 2 62.11x
St Hilary 2 298.51x
Truro St Mary 2 103.63x
Bideford 1 22.12x
Breage 1 47.62x
Compton Gifford 1 75.76x
Exminster 1 65.79x
Gorran 1 153.85x
Govan 1 0.62x
Gulval 1 67.57x
Hammersmith London 1 2.00x
Lambeth 1 0.57x
Lezant 1 196.08x
Little Torrington 1 270.27x
Llangeinor 1 48.08x
Mawgan In Pyder 1 204.08x
Newington 1 1.33x
Plympton St Mary 1 40.98x
St Peter Tavy 1 476.19x
Stretford 1 7.55x
Tavistock 1 20.79x
Tywardreath 1 67.57x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Courtis surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 13
Elizabeth 12
Jane 9
Ann 8
Ellen 7
Sarah 4
Alice 3
Harriet 3
Kate 3
Ada 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Florence 2
Grace 2
Louisa 2
Margaret 2
Selina 2
Susan 2
Agnes 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Beatrice 1
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Cecelia 1
Charlotte 1
Christianna 1
E.E. 1
Edith 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Henrietta 1
Isabella 1
Janie 1
Julia 1
Lena 1
Lilly 1
Luemba 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Peggy 1
Pricila 1
Rosalind 1
Rosena 1
Susanna 1
W.A. 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Courtis surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 20
John 14
George 7
Thomas 7
James 6
Charles 4
Richard 4
Samuel 4
Frederick 3
Martin 3
Robert 2
W.H. 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Cecil 1
Earnest 1
Edwin 1
Emmanuel 1
Ernest 1
Harold 1
Henry 1
Hugh 1
J.J.L. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Courtis surname: questions and answers

How common was the Courtis surname in 1881?

In 1881, 208 people were recorded with the Courtis surname. That placed it at #12,511 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Courtis surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 151 in 2016. That gives Courtis a modern rank of #23,615.

What does the Courtis surname mean?

A surname derived from the French for "short", potentially referring to someone of small stature.

What does the Courtis map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Courtis bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.