Curtis is a common given name or surname of English origin. 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

Actual people

• Adam Curtis (1955– ), 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
• 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 (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.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

Actual people