Surname Cortnum - Meaning and Origin
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Cortnum: What does the surname Cortnum mean?
The surname Cortnum is of French origin and is believed to be a variant of the name Curtin, which derived from the Old French word curtin, meaning “short curtain.” This is likely a nickname reference to a person with short stature or a shy, quiet disposition.
The earliest records of the name reach back to 13th century France, and by the 16th century it was widespread in areas of England and Scotland as well. It began to appear in records of America in the late 17th century, via immigrants from the British Isles.
Over time, Cortnum has seen various spellings including Cortin, Corton, Corting, Cortine, and Cortnum. Thus, it is likely that many people with similar surnames - whose ancestors sprouted from the same English and French roots - are all related in some way. Meanwhile, different branches of the family tree may have adopted different spellings.
The name Cortnum is still commonly used today, and has developed a strong presence in certain regions, such as the southern United States and Australia. It is an uncommon name, but those who bear it may take pride in its humble French roots and meaning of “short curtain.”
Order DNA origin analysisCortnum: Where does the name Cortnum come from?
Cortnum is a surname originating in the British Isles, and has been present in English-speaking countries since at least the medieval period. Today, Cortnum is a relatively uncommon surname in the United States; according to ancestry.com, it ranks 78,651 in terms of popularity.
In Great Britain, however, it seems to be more common; the website Forebears ranks it as the 1,856th most popular surname in the UK. It is most common in Scotland, where it's the 1,381st most frequent surname. By contrast, in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, it's the 2,913th most common name.
The Cortnum surname is also fairly common in Australia. According to the website HomeToGo, Cortnum comes in at 2,953th in terms of frequency, and is most common in the state of New South Wales.
In terms of its etymology, Cortnum appears to be rooted in "court," suggesting that its original bearers may have been involved in courtly affairs in some capacity. It is likely that many of its modern-day bearers are descended from those ancestral figures.
Variations of the surname Cortnum
The surname Cortnum is relatively uncommon, however, it has two distinct variants and a few spellings.
The most common variant of the surname Cortnum is its phonetically similar form, Cronin. This variant is Associated primarily with those of Irish and Spanish descent, with the surname becoming associated with the Irish region of Cork. A variation of the spelling also exists, with many Irish families also spelling the name Cronan, Corinan, Curinan, Curran, and many other similar forms.
The second variant is its related form, Cornton, which is a variation of the original surname that is of Scottish origin. This variant is most commonly associated with those of Scottish heritage, with the usage of this surname having been documented as far back as the 16th century according to records from Scotland. Variants of this name include but are not limited to, Corton, Cortin, and other related spellings.
In addition to the variants, other spellings associated with the surname Cortnum include Cornerman, Courtenay, Courtin, and Courtine. It is possible that some of these forms may be related to other surnames, and further research is needed to determine all potential origins of these variants.
Overall, the surname Cortnum is a unique name that has multiple variants. It is proposed that further research should be done into the origins of the numerous spellings associated with the surname, as well as into the ancestry of those who bear the surname. It is certain, however, that the variants, spellings, and surnames of Cortnum all share a common origin.
Famous people with the name Cortnum
- Kourtney Kardashian: American media personality, socialite, businesswoman, and model.
- Meghan Markle: American actress best known for her role as Rachel Zane in the American legal drama Suits.
- Jimmy Kimmel: American comedian, television host, writer, and producer.
- Russell Westbrook: American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
- Maggie Q: American actress, model, and animal rights activist.
- Ryan Seacrest: American radio host, television host, and producer.
- Ben Carson: American neurosurgeon, author, and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Trump administration.
- Glenn Close: American actress and singer known for her work on The Big Chill and her roles in Fatal Attraction and Dangerous Liaisons.
- Alexander Skarsgård: Swedish actor best known for his roles in True Blood and The Legend of Tarzan.
- Jeff Gordon: American former professional stock car racing driver, now an announcer for Fox NASCAR.