Hugh de Courtenay was the son and heir of John de Courtenay of Okehampton. Hugh was born on 25 March 1248/9 or 1250/1. The doubt over the location of the conception and birth has posed problems for historians. Under a diem clausus extant writ issued on 11 May 1274 it stated that Hugo de Corteney is the son and next heir apparent of John de Curtenay and is aged 25 [27 years for the Devon earldom inheritance] and will inherit his Dorset lands at tantum amplius (meaning at full maturity)- from the Feast of the Annunciation of St Mary Proxima. For some reason the lands that were spread over the southern counties were inherited at different stages in his life. The lands in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire had been inherited when he was twenty-four years old; but his Somerset lands became part of his domain the following year. However an accurate dating of these events depends on his date of birth.
Buried at Cowick, Devon