Couzens History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancient Norman culture that was established in England after the Conquest of 1066 produced the name of Couzens. It was given to a person who was related to someone of note in the area. Further research showed the name was derived from the Old French, cusin, and the Old English, cousin, which means relative. 1

Early Origins of the Couzens family

The surname Couzens was first found in Norfolk and in the southern counties of England, where the first on record appears to be Roger Cusin, listed in the Pipe Rolls in that county in 1166. Robert Cusyn and his wife Joan were landowners in Ellisfield, Hampshire during the Reign of Henry III (1216-1272). Peter Cusin was a sheriff of London in 1273. A Galfridus Cusyn of Hardingham, Norfolk is mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls for that county in 1327. 2

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists: Johannes Cosyn, tiropour; Ricardus Cosyn; and Alicia Cosyn, 1379. 2

Early History of the Couzens family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Couzens research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1535, 1541, 1547, 1549, 1558, 1585, 1594, 1597, 1672, 1697, 1743 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Couzens History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Couzens Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Cousin, Cousins, Cozens, Cossins, Couzins, Cossens, Cosin, Cosyns, Cousens, Couzens, Cossins, Cosin and many more.

Early Notables of the Couzens family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Edmund Cosin, Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University in 1558. He was "a native of Bedfordshire, entered King's Hall, Cambridge, as a bible clerk; proceeded B.A. early in 1535, M.A. in 1541, and B.D. in 1547." 3Benjamin Cosyn, probably a son of John Cosyn, who in 1585 published sixty psalms in six parts in plain counterpoint. He was eminent as a composer of lessons for virginals. Many of his pieces are extant. He flourished in the first half of the 17th century.John Cosin (1594-1672), was an English churchman...
Another 95 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Couzens Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Couzens family to Ireland

Some of the Couzens family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Couzens migration to the United States +

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Couzens or a variant listed above:

Couzens Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Bertha Couzens, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States from Swansea, in 1906
Sophia Couzens, aged 22, who landed in America from London, in 1906
Winnifred Couzens, aged 8, who landed in America from Kingston, in 1906
Charles Couzens, aged 24, who landed in America from Bath, England, in 1907
Edith Couzens, aged 21, who landed in America from Bath, England, in 1907
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Couzens migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Couzens Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Edward Couzens, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "John Banks" 4
Henry Couzens, aged 29, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Fitzjames"
William Couzens, aged 34, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Fitzjames"

Contemporary Notables of the name Couzens (post 1700) +

Matthew K. Couzens, American State Engineer for New York State in 1887
Henry De Clifford Couzens (1872-1914), American pulp magazine writer, grandfather of Matthew K. Couzens
James J. Couzens (1872-1936), American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1916; Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1916; Mayor of Detroit, Michigan, 1919-22; U.S. Senator from Michigan, 1922-36 5
Frank Couzens (1902-1950), American politician, Mayor of Detroit, Michigan (1933, 1934 to 1938), son of James J. Couzens
Andy Couzens (b. 1975), retired English footballer
Brian William Couzens (1933-2015), British music industry executive, recording engineer, and producer, founder of Chandos Records in 1979
Tim Couzens, South African literary and social historian, recipient of the 1993 Alan Paton Award
Thomas Couzens (d. 1959), Royal New Zealand Air Force who lost his life in a crevasse accident near Cape Selborne on November 19, 1959, eponym of Couzens Bay, Antarctica
Christine Anne "Chris" Couzens (b. 1958), Australian politician, Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Geelong (2014-)
Dominic Couzens, British birder, author of over sixteen books about birds
... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
South Australian Register Wednesday 30th May 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) John Banks 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/johnbanks1855.shtml
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, May 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html