All the George and Arthurs.......

What's in a name?  Is it George or Arthur - George Arthur, Arthur George and for good measure and just to keep you on your toes, what about George William?    

Courtney or Courtenay - so many possibilities....  

This list is an attempt to list everyone I've looked at, those still in contention or if not, why not.  The Research Summary is being continually updated and has more information on those still in contention.  This page is an attempt at a ready reckoner and to demonstrate my exhaustive research to find our mystery mans origins!

Or, given the lack of DNA matching to the Courtney surname, should I be looking for someone else entirely?!



Over the last couple of decades, I've looked for all possible candidates born between about 1830-1850.  My primary focus has been on candidates not recorded in the 1871 census, but this may not be a foolproof approach.

Our George - is listed as Arthur George Courtenay in the 1871 census, b1841 Marylebone Middlesex, labourer in brass works.  Other BDM records of his daughters suggest alternative names of George Arthur or George William Courtney.  I call him George, mainly because his wife recorded his name as George William on the birth certificate of their twin daughters, Abigail and Alberta.


Firstly, Georges born in Middlesex:

* 1816-1897 George William Courtney, born London to parents Thomas Courtney and Sophia Genge.  Much older but one of two George William Courtneys born in Middlesex.  Possibly living in London at time of 1871 census.  Did not marry, probate went to his brother Thomas.  Another Thomas of the same age (may be the same person) has a daughter named Emma Beatrice (middle names of daughter Alberta, but could be a co-incidence).

* 1839-1900 George William Courtney, born Shoreditch to parents George Frederick Courtney and Elizabeth Sarah Crow.  In the 1871 census he was recorded at Greenwich, a short walk away from where my George Courtney was living.  His wife was Elizabeth Duke, she died later that same year.   Refer to my previous blogpost for more information.

* 1843-1900 George Richard POUTNEY, born Middlesex to parents Richard Poutney and Sophia Barron.  Wife named Sarah Clarke, occupation Brass Dresser.  1881 census record incorrectly transcribed as Courtney.  Living in Walsall, Staffordshire at the time of 1871 census. Refer to my previous blogpost for more information.

* 1845-1876 George Harvey Courtney, born Middlesex to parents Michael William Courtney and Sarah Ann Death.  His wife was Ann Turner.  Died in Pentonville Prison. The Courtney line was from Dublin.

* 1847 George Courtney, born Middlesex to parents James Courtney and Louisa Ward of Waterford, Ireland.  Living at Hampsted, Middlesex in 1851 census.  No death record can be found.

There were no known Arthurs born in Middlesex.


Georges born elsewhere:

* 1830-1888 George Courtney, born West Cowes, Hampshire to parents William and Elizabeth.  His wife was Ann Jacobs.  Living in Islington, Middlesex at the time of both the 1871 and 1881 censuses.

* 1831-1888 George Henry Holman Courtney, born Gloucestershire to parents George Henry Holman and Pricilla Watkins.  His wife was Prudence Langton.  He was living in Clifton, Gloucestershire in 1871.

* 1838-1893 G.E. Courtenay, birthplace unknown, died a pauper in India.  No further information known.

* 1841-1889 George Courtenay, born in France, British Subject.  Some trees have his parents as John Courtenay and Frances Murphy.  His wife was Eliza Mary Cowan.  He was a doctor and was residing in Scotland at the time of the 1871 census.  If correct, the line goes back to Powderham Devon.

* 1842-1930 George Courtney, born Shoreham, Sussex to parents George Courtney and Sarah Wilkinson.  Employed as a Brass Founder in 1881 census.  Missing from 1871 census.  Living in close proximity to Abigails sister. Refer to my previous blogpost for more information.

* 1845-1886 George Courtney, died in Manchester Workhouse at Crumpsall.  Sister in law Mary Ann Shone present at the death - residence 111 High William Bridge Rd, Chorlton.

* 1846-1887 George Courtney, born Brendon, Devon to parents John Courtney and Gilliam Rawle.  His wife was Mary Power.  Died in Wales, resided there 1871-1887.

* 1846-1902 George Babington Courtney, born Antrim Ireland, parents Sampson and Charlotte Courtney. Married in 1872 at Islington, wife named Catherine Bryant.  Unknown location in 1871.

* 1846 Thomas Henry Dillon (alias George Courtney), bigamist.  Death unknown, location in 1871 also unknown.  In 1896 his landlady was a Mrs Mary Bryant.

* 1847-1886 George Courtney, born Goodleigh, Devon to parents Thomas Courtney and Frances Ackland.  Wife named Henrietta Hinds.  Believed to be working as a servant with the Symth family in Devon at the time of the 1871 census and from 1881 is in Lancashire. 

* 1848-1882 George Courtney.  Born Cornwall, his wife was Mary Jane Wells.


Arthurs born elsewhere:

* 1842-1915 Arthur Courtenay.  Little information known, died in Rathdrum, Wicklow.  Birth date from death registration.  Could be the same person as the one married to Elizabeth Lewins?

* 1827 Arthur Courtenay, born Wicklow, Ireland.  Ist wife Anne Megan and 2nd wife named Elizabeth Lewins.  Location unknown in 1871 but does not appear to have left Ireland.  Birth date from 1911 census.

* 1840 Arthur Courtney, born Barton Stacey, Hampshire. Parents unknown.  Little information available.  Location unknown in 1871. Refer to my previous blogpost for more information. 

* 1845-1890 Arthur Courtney, probably born Monaghan Ireland. Died aged 49, bachelor at Claraghy.  Unknown location in 1871.

* 1849 Arthur Courtenay HOLLIER, born Essex.  Married Margaret Read in 1876.  Living in Essex working as a booksellers assistant in 1871.

* 1852-1927 Arthur Henry Courtenay, born and died in Ireland.  Master of the Queens Bench and Colonel of 4th Battalion (The Cameronians - Scottish Rifles).  Wife named Mary Ellen Mildmay FULLERTON.  She was living in Hampshire when they married in 1875.  Locations unknown for 1871 but would have been only 19 so perhaps unlikely?


In contention

* 1840 Arthur Courtney, born Barton Stacey, Hampshire.  Parents unknown.  Refer to my previous blogpost for more information. 

* 1842-1930 George Courtney, born Shoreham, Sussex to parents George Courtney and Sarah Wilkinson.  Refer to my previous blogpost for more information.

* 1845-1876 George Harvey Courtney, born Middlesex to parents Michael William Courtney and Sarah Ann Death.  His wife was Ann Turner.  Died in Pentonville Prison. The Courtney line was from Dublin.

* 1845-1886 George Courtney, died in Manchester Workhouse at Crumpsall.  Sister in law Mary Ann Shone present at the death - residence 111 High William Bridge Rd, Chorlton.

* 1846-1902 George Babington Courtney, born Antrim Ireland, parents Sampson and Charlotte Courtney. Married in 1872 at Islington, wife named Catherine Bryant.  Unknown location in 1871.

* 1846 Thomas Henry (aka James Arthur) Dillon (alias George Courtney), bigamist.  Death unknown, location in 1871 also unknown.  In 1896 his landlady was a Mrs Mary Bryant.

* 1847 George Courtney, born Middlesex to parents James Courtney and Louisa Ward of Waterford, Ireland.  Refer to my previous blogpost for more information.

* 1848-1882 George Courtney.  Born Cornwall, his wife was Mary Jane Wells.


In 1871 census but should not be ruled out as living in close proximity:

* 1816-1897 George William Courtney, born London to parents Thomas Courtney and Sophia Genge.  Much older but one of two George William Courtneys born in Middlesex.  Possibly living in London at time of 1871 census.  Did not marry, probate went to his brother Thomas.  Another Thomas of the same age (may be the same person) has a daughter named Emma Beatrice (middle names of daughter Alberta, but could be a co-incidence).

* 1830-1888 George Courtney, born West Cowes, Hampshire to parents William and Elizabeth (Stephens).  His wife was Ann Jacobs.  Living in Islington, Middlesex at the time of both the 1871 and 1881 censuses.

* 1839-1900 George William Courtney, born Shoreditch to parents George Frederick Courtney and Elizabeth Sarah Crow.  Refer to my previous blogpost for more information.


DNA Matching

I am continuing to look for DNA matches to the various parents of each of these 'Courtney's' that remain in contention.  Disappointingly, to date there have been no matches of note that suggest a connection to any of these lines.


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This blog is dedicated to finding my second great grandfather Arthur 'George' Courtney c1841.   To view  a summary of my research click here.  

If you help with any of questions raised in this post, please contact me using the contact form on this blog or send me a private message via Wikitree, Ancestry or Facebook. 


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