[Illustration] This ancient family was seated at Kedleston as early
as the reign of Henry I. It is said to be of Breton origin, and
descended from Geraline, a great benefactor to the Abbey of
Abingdon, in Berkshire, in which county the Curzons held lands soon
after the Conquest.
Younger branches. Curzon Earl Howe 1821; Curzon of Parham, Sussex.
Extinct branches. Curzon of Croxall and Water-Perry, co. Oxford, and
of Letheringset, Norfolk.
See Lysons, lii.; Brydges's Collins, vii. 294; Wotton's Baronetage,
ii. 243.
ARMS.--_Argent, a bend sable, charged with three popinjays or,
collared gules_, borne by Monsr. Roger Curson in the reign of
Richard II. Sir John Cursoun bore, _Argent, a bend gules bezantée_,
in that of Edward II. (Rolls.) According to Burton's Collections
quoted by Wotton, the more ancient coat was, _Vair, or and gules, a
border sable charged with popinjays argent_: this was in compliment
to William Earl Ferrers and Derby, who had granted to Stephen Curson
the manor of Fauld, co. Stafford.
Present Representative, the Rev. Alfred Nathaniel Holden Curzon, 4th
Baron Scarsdale.