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 actorAubone Surtees (1865–1923), English rugby union footballerBruce Surtees (1937–2012), American cinematographerCharles Surtees (1823–1906), English politicianHenry Surtees (1991–2009), British racing driverJack Surtees (1911–1992), English professional footballerJohn Surtees (1934–2017), English former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and Formula One driverNicholas Surtees, Scottish rugby playerRobert Smith Surtees (1803–1864), English writerRobert Surtees (antiquarian) (1779–1834), historian and antiquarianRobert Surtees (cinematographer) (1906–1985), American cinematographerSchlitze Surtees (1901–1971 ), American sideshow performer and actorWilliam Surtees (1871–1956), English Anglican bishop