Curuclis - Name

This is a modern spelling of the medieval Greek name 'Curcuas' recorded heraldically in Rietstapps Armorial General in the 17th century. The Coat of Arms is very unusual being, sixteen silver hearts arranged in four lines on a gold field, suggesting that the original holder was a person of warmth and generosity. The meaning of the name is more obscure but we believe it to be a nickname patronymic deriving from 'Curro' and meaning 'the son of the runner', however, it is also possible that it may derive from 'Curcio' - meaning 'The Farmer or Keeper of Animals'. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Andreas Curcuas which was dated C. 1680 Athens, Greece during the reign of Pope Innocent XI 1676-1689 Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.