Contents [hide]

Courtney History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand West Indies South Africa

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Sources

Courtney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Courtney

What does the name Courtney mean?

The ancestors of the Courtney family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Devon. The name, however, is a reference one of two areas bearing the name Courtenay in Normandy. The names of both of these areas derive from the Gallo-Roman landlord, Curtenus. 1

Early Origins of the Courtney family

The surname Courtney was first found in the Gâtinais province of France, where they held the castle of Courtenay since the 10th century. They claim descent from the Counts of Sens and from Pharamond, reputed founder of the French monarchy in 420. However, historians have only been able to prove the line back to about the year 1020, in the Isles of France where they were descended from the great Emperor Charlemagne. The name was established by this trace only to the year 790. 1

Regardless of the earliest origin, in the mid-12th century, a branch of the family settled in England, where they obtained the barony of Okehampton and inherited the title of Earls of Devon in 1293. "This illustrious house is descended from Reginald de Courtney, who came over to England with Henry II AD 1151." 2

Another source notes that Whitchurch in Devon was home to the family. "Walreddon House, here, the property of William Courtenay, Esq., a descendant of the Courtenays, earls of Devon, is an ancient mansion of the time of Edward VI., whose arms in the hall are still in good preservation." 3

"Powderham Castle [in Exeter, Devon] holds the first place among the ancient mansions of the county. No other great house continues so fully its olden glories. Nearly six centuries have passed since the Courtenays first seated themselves by the Exe, at Powderham, and there, amidst many vicissitudes, they have continued. At the compilation of ' Domesday,' Powderham was one of the two Devonshire manors of William de Ow, and on his forfeiture came to a family who thence took name. The attainder of John de Powderham led to the manor becoming the property of Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford ; and his daughter Margaret, in 1325, brought it to her husband Hugh, the second Courtenay Earl of Devon." 4

"The House of Courtenay is the most distinguished family of Devon. They have been called ' the ubiquitous Courtenays,' for there is hardly a parish in the county which is not linked with their history by some traces of lordship or alliance. The history of the English branch of this great house, whose famous coat of three torteaux 'at once waved over the towers of Edessa, and was reflected by the waters of the Seine/ has been set forth most graphically by Gibbon. Ranked among the chief barons of the realm, it was not 'till after a strenuous dispute that they yielded to the fief of Arundel the first place in Parliament. Their alliances were contracted with the noblest families the Veres, De Spencers, Bonviles, St. Johns, Talbots, Bohuns, and even the Plantagenets themselves ; and in a contest with John of Lancaster, a Courtenay, Bishop of London and afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, might be accused of profane confidence in the strength and numbers of his kindred." 4

Wooton-Courtney in Somerset was another ancient family seat. "This parish takes the adjunct to its name from the Courtney family, who formerly held the manor." 3

"The manor of Braddock [Cornwall] was at a very early period in the Courtenay family, in which it continued until the attainder of the Marquis of Exeter. In ancient times, St. Bennet's, when in a state of comparative magnificence, was long the seat of the Courtenay family, by a female branch of whom it was sold in 1710 to Bernard Pennington." 5

Early History of the Courtney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Courtney research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1125, 1194, 1303, 1346, 1355, 1367, 1377, 1378, 1399, 1405, 1406, 1411, 1413, 1415, 1463, 1485, 1490, 1492, 1496, 1497, 1509, 1525, 1526, 1527, 1538, 1539, 1547, 1553, 1556 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Courtney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Courtney Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Courtenay, Courtney, Courtnay, Courteney, Courtny and many more.

Early Notables of the Courtney family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Renaud de Courtenay (1125-1194), English nobleman from Sutton, Berkshire, progenitor of the Devon line; Sir Hugh de Courtenay (1303-1377), the 2nd Earl of Devon; and Sir Peter Courtenay (1346-1405), soldier, knight of the shire, Chamberlain to King Richard II (1377-1399), famous jouster, received the honour of knighthood from the Black Prince after the Battle of Najera in 1367, at the same time as his brother Sir Philip, 1378 on a naval expedition with his brother Sir Philip, the fleet was attacked by Spaniards off the coast of Brittany and Sir Peter and his...
Another 240 words (17 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Courtney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Courtney World Ranking

In the United States, the name Courtney is the 1,273^rd most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. 6 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Courtney is ranked the 651^st most popular surname with an estimated 68 people with that name. 7 And in New Zealand, the name Courtney is the 982^nd popular surname with an estimated 764 people with that name. 8

Migration of the Courtney family to Ireland

Some of the Courtney family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Courtney migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Courtney or a variant listed above:

Courtney Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

James Courtney, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 9
Jo Courtney, aged 32, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Paul" 9
Sybil Courtney, aged 33, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Paul" 9
James Courtney, who landed in Maryland in 1638 9
James Courtney, who landed in Maryland in 1661 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Courtney Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Paul Courtney, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1775 9
Mrs. Esther Courtney, (b. 1725), aged 60, French widow traveling aboard the ship "Le Bon Papa" arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana on 29th July 1785 10
Lawrence Courtney, who landed in New York in 1795 9

Courtney Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Margaret Courtney, aged 24, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 9
Richard Courtney, aged 25, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 9
Thomas Courtney, who arrived in America in 1808 9
Henry Courtney, who landed in America in 1809 9
Peter Courtney, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Courtney Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. William Courtney, (b. 1873), aged 30, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1903 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 11

Courtney migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Courtney Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Peter Courtney, who arrived in Halifax or New York in 1811
Mr. Denis Courtney, aged 40 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Agnes" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 12
Mrs. Nanny Courtney, aged 30 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Wakefield" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 12
Mr. John Courtney, aged 22 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Wakefield" departing 28th May 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 12th July 1847 but he died on board 13
Mr. John Courtney, aged 45 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Free Trader" departing 22nd June 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 14th August 1847 but he died on board 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Courtney migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Courtney Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Courtney, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 13th March 1828, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
Mr. William Courtney, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "David Lyon" on 29th April 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
Mr. Alexander Courtney, (Courtenay), (b. 1798), aged 40, Irish labourer who was convicted in Londonderry, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 11th May 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. John Courtney, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Duncan" on 10th December 1840, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
Mr. Edward Courtney, (b. 1818), aged 22, Cornish settler convicted in Canadian Court Martial, sentenced for 14 years, transported aboard the ship "Maitland" on 22nd March 1840 to New South Wales, Australia 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Courtney migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Courtney Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Courtney, aged 22, a painter, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ocean Mail" in 1875
John Courtney, aged 23, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waimea" in 1876
Eugene Courtney, aged 21, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waimea" in 1876
Thomas Courtney, aged 24, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rakaia" in 1878
Julia Courtney, aged 19, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rakaia" in 1878
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Courtney migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

Courtney Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

James Courtney, aged 23, who arrived in St Christopher in 1634 9

Contemporary Notables of the name Courtney (post 1700) +

Patricia A. Courtney (1931-2003), American infielder who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
Peter Michael Coleman Courtney (1943-2024), American politician, lawyer, and professor, Member of the Oregon State Senate (1999-2023), President of the Senate from 2003 to 2023
Thomas William "Tom" Courtney (1933-2023), American two-time gold medalist runner at the 1956 Olympic Games
Henry Alexius Courtney Jr. (1916-1945), American officer of the United States Marine Corps Reserve during World War II, posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor, eponym of the USS Courtney (DE-1021)
Charles Courtney (b. 1940), American professional PGA golfer
William Harrison Courtney (b. 1944), American diplomat
Jacqueline Courtney (b. 1946), American actor
Deborah L. Courtney, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Florida, 2008 20
David H. Courtney, American politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Monongalia County, 1911-12 20
David Courtney, American politician, Candidate for Texas State Senate 17th District, 2012 20
... (Another 37 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Courtney Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Quod verum tutum
Motto Translation: What is true is safe.

Sources +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
7 Ships Arcadian Expedition of 1785. Retrieved 28th September 2021 from http://www.Arcadian-cajun.com/7ships.htm
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 22)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 71)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-lyon
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clyde
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duncan
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 4) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html