Curtin (surname)


Curtin is a surname which is most common in the Province of Munster in Ireland. It takes several variant forms transliterated from the Irish language, such as: Mac Cruitín, Mac Curtain or Ó Cruitin, most of which are anglicised as Curtin. It is believed there are multiple Curtin families with different origins, the most famous of which is the bardic family which stems from Co. Clare. In the census of 1659 in Counties Cork, Kerry and Limerick similar sounding names such as Mac Curatine and O' Curataine were treated as synonymous although they are not the same clan. Curtayne is a variant surname chiefly in south Munster.

Curtins from County Clare

In Clare, the Curtin family were located in Corco Modhruadh, with their principal hereditary lands at Carrowduff in Killaspuglonane and others in Laghvally in Kilmacrehy. They were regarded as a distinguished, learned family, who served as hereditary historians to the O’Briens of Thomond and other notable local families, including Ó Conchubhair Corcomroe and Ó Lochlainn of the Burren. With the fall of the Gaelic order, one branch remained in Corcomroe at Clooney, but some of the senior familial line moved south into Ibrickane, land retained by the O'Briens, first leasing Tromra Castle, then living around Moyglass with a burial place at Kilfarboy. They had patrons among the Corcu Baiscind. The 17-18th century Irish language scholars and poets Aindrias Mac Cruitín and Aodh Buí Mac Cruitín were members of this family. The Curtins maintained a tradition of learning with a wider influence on literature and native learning in west Clare. Meic Cruitín schools operated in Magh Locha ós Linn Luimnigh near Kilrush and Kilmacrechy near Ennistymon and Thomas J. Westropp contended that the learning of Eugene O'Curry was inherited from the earlier activities of the professional poets of Clann Cruitín. The last member of the family with literary standing was Seamus Mac Cruitín a poet, bard and hedge school teacher, a forlorn figure, who worked for O'Curry collecting songs and poems.
Perhaps the most prominent descendant of the Curtins from Clare was Andrew Gregg Curtin a U.S. lawyer and politician who served as the Governor of Pennsylvania during the Civil War.

Curtins from County Cork

The origin of the Curtins of Cork is disputed. Curtins residing in the region are referenced are early as the 14th century in the medieval Irish text, Críchad an Chaoilli as Meic Coirtein o Baile Meig Coirtein & do mhuinntir Rathan iat sein. They were hereditary proprietors in Fir Maige Féne, Co. Cork, with their seat at Rahan, a townland and Civil Parish near Mallow. O'Hart held that O'Curtin was Anglicised by some as "Jourdan". Also, following the Battle of Kinsale Cork saw an influx of Ulster born Macartans, who had their surnames Anglicized as "Mac Curtain" or later as "Curtain", such as Cornelius Curtain and William Curtain. Perhaps the most famous descendant of the Cork Curtins is 20th century Australian Prime Minister John Curtin.

List of people with the surname Curtin