Cooper History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
England
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Cooper

What does the name Cooper mean?

Cooper is an Anglo-Saxon name. The name was originally given to a cooper, a person who made and repaired barrels, casks, and buckets. It was a trade highly valued in the Middle Ages, as the construction or waterproof containers was no easy task with the tools of the time.

Early Origins of the Cooper family

The surname Cooper was first found in Sussex but the name is "distributed over the greater part of England, but rare or absent in the northern and south - western counties. It seems to have three principal centres, one in the northern midlands, including Cheshire, another in Sussex and Hants, and a third in Suffolk. The counties especially notable for Coopers are Cheshire, Derbyshire, Hants, Leicestershire and Rutland, Notts, Suffolk, Sussex, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire." 1

The Pipe Rolls include some of the earliest records of the family: Robert (le) Cupere for Surrey (1176-7); ? le Cupers, Norfolk in 1181-2. 2

Early History of the Cooper family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cooper research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1552, 1586, 1606, 1608, 1609, 1610, 1621, 1626, 1627, 1631, 1659, 1660, 1672, 1683, 1689, 1731, 1797, 1800 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cooper History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cooper Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Cooper has appeared include Cooper, Cowper, Couper, Coupar and others.

Early Notables of the Cooper family

Sir John Cooper (1552-1610), English politician, Member of Parliament for Whitchurch in 1586
Sir John Cooper, 1st Baronet (died 1631), an English landowner and politician
Samuel Cooper (1609-1672), an English miniature painter
Alexander Cooper (1609-1660), an English Baroque miniature painter
Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury PC (1621-1683), an English politician during the Interregnum, a founder of the Whig party and patron of John Locke
George Cooper (1626-1689), an English politician who fought in the Parliamentary army in the English Civil War
Thomas Cooper (died 1659), a colonel in the Parliamentary Army who fought in the English Civil War and aided in the Cromwellian occupation of Ireland, appointed to the Cromwell's Upper House

Cooper World Ranking

the United States, the name Cooper is the 62^nd most popular surname with an estimated 281,031 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Cooper is ranked the 114^th most popular surname with an estimated 26,022 people with that name. 4 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Cooper is the 55^th popular surname with an estimated 456 people with that name. 5 Australia ranks Cooper as 43^rd with 41,912 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Cooper as 31^st with 5,682 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Cooper as 32^nd with 104,002 people. 8

Migration of the Cooper family to Ireland

Some of the Cooper family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 87 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cooper migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Cooper arrived in North America very early:

Cooper Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Cooper, who landed in Virginia in 1618 10
Justinian Cooper, who arrived in Virginia in 1618 10
Walter Cooper, (Coop), aged 33, who landed in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Jonathan"
Humility Cooper, (1619-1639), who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 aboard the ship "Mayflower" 10
John Cooper, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cooper Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Semi Cooper, who landed in Virginia in 1704 10
Richard Cooper, who landed in Virginia in 1705 10
Esther Cooper, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 10
Hannah Cooper, who landed in Virginia in 1726 10
Boice Cooper, who landed in New England in 1740 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cooper Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thomas, Cooper Jr., who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1800 10
William, Cooper Jr., who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1805 10
Robert Cooper, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1810 10
Mrs. Cooper, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 10
Allan Cooper, aged 37, who landed in New York in 1812 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cooper Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Reginald S. Cooper, (b. 1878), aged 25, Cornish merchant travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 31st May 1903 en route to New York, USA 11

Cooper migration to Canada +

Cooper Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

George Cooper, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Francis Cooper, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Richard Cooper, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Mary Cooper, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Matthew Cooper, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cooper Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Cooper, aged 19, who arrived in Canada in 1811
John Cooper, aged 26, Scottish settler who landed in Red River, Canada in 1811
John Cooper, who landed in Canada in 1815
James Cooper, who landed in Canada in 1830
Humphrey Cooper, who arrived in Canada in 1832
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cooper Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Mrs. E Cooper, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Cooper migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. Edward Cooper, British settler convicted in Lincolnshire, England in 1787, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 9

Second Fleet

Mr. Joseph Cooper, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Mr. Thomas Cooper, British settler convicted in Southampton, Hampshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Mr. Charles Cooper, British settler convicted in London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Salamander" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Mr. John Cooper, British settler convicted in Derbyshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Mr. William Cooper, British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10

Third Fleet

Miss Mary Cooper, (b. 1750), aged 37, English settler convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire on 19th July 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Cooper Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Charles Cooper, (b. 1773), aged 24, English groom who was convicted in Leicester, Leicestershire, England for life for theft, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1820 12
Mr. Thomas Cooper, (Cappur, Williams, John), (b. 1771), aged 26, English convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1828 12
Miss Mary Cooper, (Chapman), English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13

Cooper Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Henry Cooper, British Convict who was convicted in Derby, Derbyshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. Robert Cooper, British convict who was convicted in Dorset, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the "Queen" in 1804 15
Mr. William Cooper, British convict who was convicted in Southampton, England for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the "Queen" in 1804 15
Mr. Robert Cooper, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. John Cooper, British settler who was convicted in Warwickshire, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cooper migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Cooper Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Cooper, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
H Cooper, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1839
Mrs. Cooper, Australian settler travelling from Sydney in April 1840 aboard the ship "H.M.S. Buffalo " arriving in Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand in 1840 18
D Cooper, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Samuel Cooper, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cooper migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

Cooper Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

George Cooper, who settled in Barbados in 1663

Contemporary Notables of the name Cooper (post 1700) +

Anderson Hays Cooper (b. 1967), American Peabody Award and five-time Emmy Award winning, journalist, television personality, and author, primary anchor of the CNN news show Anderson Cooper 360°, son of Gloria Vanderbilt
Gary Cooper (1901-1961), born Frank James Cooper, American two-time Academy Award-winning actor, one of the 25 greatest male stars of classic Hollywood cinema.
Roy Dale Cooper (1955-2025), American professional rodeo cowboy who competed in Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) events for more than two decades, nicknamed "Super Looper" for his roping ability, inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979
Barry Michael Cooper (1957-1958), American writer, producer, and director
Bonnie Cooper (1935-2018), American baseball player All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
Jerome Gary Cooper (1936-2024), American officer of the United States Marine Corps, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) from 1989 to 1992, United States Ambassador to Jamaica from 1994 to 1997
Pat Cooper (1929-2023), born Pasquale Caputo, an American actor and comedian, known for his appearances in The Howard Stern Show, Imus in the Morning and Opie and Anthony, nicknamed the "Comedian of Outrage"
Christopher Daniel "Chris" Cooper (1978-2023), American Major League Baseball pitcher for San Marino Baseball Club in the Italian Baseball League
Barbara Lee Ward Cooper (1929-2022), American politician and a Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 86th District (1996-2022)
... (Another 46 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Cooper family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Walter Cooper (d. 1914), British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 20
Mr. Percy Daniel Cooper (1894-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 21
Mr. John L. Cooper (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 22
Mr. James F. Cooper (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 23
Mr. Thomas Cooper (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 23
... (Another 53 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
News paper article Fraterville Mine Disaster retrieved on 6th August 2021. Retrieved from http://www.tn.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/fraterville.htm