Courtney or Courtenay came to England with the Norman Conquest in 1066. There various places in Northern
France named Courtenay, as well as the Courtenay family being an important dynasty in the Middle Ages, both in
France and in England, where they are the Earls of Devon. Courtney has also been associated with the French nickname 'court nez' meaning short or snub-nosed. Short-nosed.
Of the Court.
Famous
female bearers include musician Courtney Love, actress Courtney Cox and actress Courtney Thorne-Smith. A male bearer is musician Courtney Taylor-Taylor.