Surtees is a surname derived from "sur-Tees" or "sur-Tays". The name originates from the rivers Tees or Tay in County Durham, England and most likely originates from the Anglo-Norman nobility's practice of naming yourself after where you have settled. "Sur" is a French conjunction meaning "upon" or "from" and be found in the word surname as well as many French placenames like Vic-sur-Aisne.
Variants include Surtes, Surties, Suyrtayse, Surteys.
Notable people with this surname include:
Allan Surtees (1924–2000), English actor
Aubone Surtees (1865–1923), English rugby union footballer
Bruce Surtees (1937–2012), American cinematographer
Charles Surtees (1823–1906), English politician
Henry Surtees (1991–2009), British racing driver
Jack Surtees (1911–1992), English professional footballer
John Surtees (1934–2017), English former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and Formula One driver
Nicholas Surtees, Scottish rugby player
Robert Smith Surtees (1803–1864), English writer
Robert Surtees (antiquarian) (1779–1834), historian and antiquarian
Robert Surtees (cinematographer) (1906–1985), American cinematographer
Schlitze Surtees (1901–1971 ), American sideshow performer and actor
William Surtees (1871–1956), English Anglican bishop
