Curtin is a surname that comes from Ireland. Its form derives from the Irish language Mac Cruitín or O'Cruitin, anglicised as Curtin. It is believed there were two separate families known as Curtin originally, one in Co. Clare and another in Co. Cork.
In Clare, the Curtin family had Dalcassian origins, and were located in Corco Modhruadh (Corcomroe). They were regarded as a distinguished, learned family, who served as hereditary historians to the O’Briens of Thomond and other notable local families. The 19th century Irish language scholar and poet Aodh Buí Mac Cruitín was a member of this family .
The Cork family is referenced in a medieval Irish text, Críchad an Chaoilli (written before 1300) as Meic Coirtein o Baile Meig Coirtein & do mhuinntir Rathan iat sein ("the Mac Curtains of Ballymaccurtain, of the Rahan people these are"). They were hereditary proprietors in Fir Maige Féne (the barony of Fermoy), Co. Cork, with their seat at Rahan, a townland and Civil Parish near Mallow. Perhaps the most famous descendant of the Cork Curtins is Australian Prime Minister John Curtin (1885–1945).
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