Curthoys

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The Curthoys name is thought to originate from Robert Curthose, the eldest son of William the Conqueror. Towards the end of Robert Curthose's life, he was imprisoned in Cardiff, Bristol and Gloster Gaol's by his younger brother Henry, where it is understood he was afforded the luxuries and privileges appertaining to royalty.

It is fair to assume that the British line was founded as a consequence of these luxuries and privileges, and indeed most lines of the family can trace their ancestry to the area between Cardiff, Bristol and Gloucester, along the River Severn. It is likely that during his time as Duke of Normandy, he also fathered children, giving rise to the name 'Courtoise', the French equivalent of Curthoys.