Curtis is a common given name or surname of English origin. A surname is a name added to a Given name and is part of a Personal name. In English the meaning of the name Curtis is 'polite, courteous, or well-bred'. Though it is unclear whether "Curtis" and "Curtiss" are directly related, the latter is also considered here for convenience.

A Curtis/Curtiss surname DNA project has been started and can be found at Curtis DNA Project

Surname uses: Curtis

Actual people

• Adam Curtis (1955– ), British television documentary produceractor
• Benjamin Robbins Curtis (1809–1874), American jurist
• Charles Curtis (1860–1936), U. Adam Curtis (born 1955 is a British Television documentary maker who has during the course of his television career worked as a writer producer Benjamin Robbins Curtis ( November 4, 1809 &ndash September 15, 1874) was an American Attorney and United States Supreme Charles Curtis (January 25 1860 – February 8 1936 was a Representative and a Senator from Kansas as well as the thirty-first Vice President of S. Vice President
• Cyrus Hermann Kotzschmar Curtis (1850–1933), U. Cyrus Hermann Kotzschmar Curtis ( June 18, 1850 – June 7, 1933) was a significant American publisher S. publisher
• Dan Curtis Bassist of West Yorkshire band The Ridings.
• Edward S. Curtis (1868–1952) the photographer
• George Ticknor Curtis (1812–1894), U. Edward Sheriff Curtis ( February 16, 1868 &ndash October 19, 1952) was a photographer of the American West and of Native George Ticknor Curtis ( November 28, 1812 - 1894 was a US Author, Writer, Historian and lawyer S. politician and lawyer
• George William Curtis (1824–1892), American writer and public speaker
• Harriot Curtis (1881–1974) American golfer
• Heber Doust Curtis (1872–1942), American astronomer
• Ian Curtis (1956–1980), British singer-songwriter for Joy Division
• Jamie Lee Curtis (1958– ), American actress
• John Curtis (entomologist) (1791–1862), English entomologist
• Kathlyn Curtis, Manitoba judge
• Kelly Curtis (1956– ), American actress
• King Curtis (1934–1971), American saxophonist
• Mark Curtis (British author), a British political author
• Mark Curtis (SWP member), a former American Socialist Worker's Party member
• Mary Louise Curtis Bok, the founder of the Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia
• Margaret Curtis (1883–1965) American golfer and tennis player
• Philip Kenneth Edward Curtis (1926–1951), decorated English soldier
• Richard Curtis, (1956– ) British comedy scriptwriter
• Samuel Ryan Curtis (1805–1866) Union General in the American Civil War
• Scott Curtis (1984– ) Life FM radio presenter
• Thomas Bradford Curtis (1911–1993) U. George William Curtis (February 24 1824 - August 31 1892 was an American writer and public speaker born in Providence Rhode Island, of old New England Harriot Sumner Curtis ( June 30 1881 – October 25 1974) was an American Golf champion and an early participant in the Heber Doust Curtis ( June 27 1872 – January 9 1942) was an American Astronomer. Ian Kevin Curtis ( 15 July 1956 – 18 May 1980) was the vocalist and lyricist as well as occasional guitarist and keyboardist of the band Jamie Lee Curtis (born November 22 1958 is a two-time Golden Globe -winning BAFTA -winning and Emmy -nominated American Film John Curtis (3 September 1791 - 6 October 1862 was an English Entomologist and Illustrator. Kathlyn Mary Curtis was appointed to the Provincial Court of Manitoba on March 1 2001 Kelly Lee Curtis (born June 17, 1956 in Santa Monica California) is the elder child of actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh and Curtis Ousley ( February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971) who performed under the name King Curtis, was an American Mark Curtis is a British Journalist, Writer, and Historian specialising in Investigative journalism. Mark Curtis is a former member of the American Socialist Workers Party (SWP who in the late 1980s and early 1990s was the subject of a high profile defense campaign by the The Curtis Institute of Music is a conservatory in Philadelphia Pennsylvania that offers courses of study leading to a performance Diploma Bachelor of Music Margaret Curtis ( October 8 1883 &ndash December 24 1965) was an American Golfing and Tennis champion and lifelong Philip Kenneth Edward Curtis VC ( July 7, 1926 - April 23, 1951) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross For the former state representative from Washington State see Richard Curtis (politician Richard Whalley Anthony Curtis, CBE (born Samuel Ryan Curtis ( February 3, 1805 &ndash December 26, 1866) was an American military officer most famous for his role in the Scott Curtis (born May 5 1976 in Van Nuys, California, USA) is an American Actor. Userpolbot from http//bioguidecongressgov/scripts/biodisplaypl?index=C001014 S. Representative from Missouri
• Tom Curtis, (1953– ), American artist
• Tony Curtis (1925– ), American actor
• William Curtis (1746–1799), English botanist
• Corey Curtis (1985- ), Mexican Cyclist

Fictional characters

• Randall Curtis, a fictional character on The Simpsons based on George Lucas
• Rey Curtis, a fictional character on Law & Order
• Izumi Curtis, a fictional character in Fullmetal Alchemist
• Sophia Curtis, a fictional character in CSI Las Vegas

Surname uses: Curtiss

Actual people

• Charles Curtiss (1908–1993), American Communist
• Glenn Curtiss (1878–1930), Aviation pioneer and founder of the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company

Given name uses: Curtis

Actual people

• Curtis Enis (1976–) retired NFL running back
• Curtis Granderson (1981- ), Detroit Tigers center fielder
• Curtis James Jackson III (1975– ), American rapper/actor (known as 50 Cent)
• Curtis Martin (1973– ), American football player
• Curtis Mayfield (1942–1999), American soul, funk and R&B singer, songwriter and guitarist
• Curtis Robb (1972- ), British middle-distance runner

Fictional characters

• Curtis Manning, a fictional character played by Jamaican/Canadian actor Roger Cross as part of the television series 24