Courtenay

Courtenay is a toponym of Norman origin used for several places and as a surname. The name is derived from the French place Courtenay in the Loire region and was carried to England by Norman settlers, where it became associated with a historic noble family that held the title Earl of Devon.

Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada, is a city on the east coast of Vancouver Island and the largest population center in the Comox Valley. It serves as the commercial and service hub for the valley and is located near the towns of Comox and Cumberland. The city is known for its access to coastal and inland landscapes, as well as its role in regional tourism and regional services.

Courtenay, Devon, England, is a village and civil parish in the county of Devon. It lies within rural northwestern Devon and forms part of the broader North Devon area, known for its historical buildings, parish church, and as a representative example of English village life.

In addition to these places, Courtenay is used as a surname and given name. The Courtenay family is a historically significant English noble lineage that included the Earls of Devon, and the name continues to appear in various countries as part of personal names and family names.

See also: Courtney, a related given name and surname, and other disambiguation references for similarly named places and people.