Curtis is a common given name of English origin derived from the Old French "curteis," which means 'polite, courteous, or well-bred.' It was brought to England (and subsequently, the rest of the Isles) via the Norman Conquest. Though it is unclear whether "Curtis" and "Curtiss" are directly related, the latter is also considered here for convenience.

People

• Alison Curtis (1977-), Canadian-Irish radio presenter
• Curtis Peers (1995– ), British television documentary produceractor
• Benjamin Robbins Curtis (1809–1874), American jurist
• Catie Curtis (1965- ), American singer-songwriter
• Charles Curtis (1860–1936), U.S. Vice President
• Charles Curtis (botanist) (1853 – 1928), English botanist who became the first superintendent of the Penang Botanic Gardens.
• Cyrus Hermann Kotzschmar Curtis (1850–1933), U.S. publisher
• Dan Curtis Bassist of West Yorkshire band The Ridings
• Edward S. Curtis (1868–1952) the photographer
• George Ticknor Curtis (1812–1894), U.S. politician and lawyer
• George William Curtis (1824–1892), American writer and public speaker
• Glenn Curtiss (1878-1930), American aviation pioneer and founder of the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
• 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 (several people)
• 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.S. Representative from Missouri
• Tom Curtis, (1953– ), American artist
• Tony Curtis (1925– ), American actor
• William Curtis (1746–1799), English botanist

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
• Jade Curtiss, a fictional Tales of the Abyss protagonist

People

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