Show ContentsCossar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient and distinguished surname Cossar is originally of French origin, and refers to "a dealer in horses." The name was brought to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066, and became one of the many Anglo-Norman words that made up Middle English.

Early Origins of the Cossar family

The surname Cossar was first found in Essex, where the Cossar family was anciently seated as Lords of the Manor. For the three centuries following the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the language of the courts was French, and the Norman ambience prevailed. Norman surnames were held by members of aristocracy, and the Cossar family was a prominent one in the county of Essex. The family name was first referenced in the year 1299 when Ralph le Kossar held estates in that county.

Early History of the Cossar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cossar research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1392, 1449, 1820, 1870 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cossar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cossar Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Cossar, Cosser, Cozzer, Cozzar, Kosser, Kossar, Corsor, Cossart, Cossarte and many more.

Early Notables of the Cossar family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Adam Cossar (c.1449), a Scottish member of parliament, John Cossar (c.1820), a well-known American actor, and John...
  • Cossar (c.1870), a British poet...

Ireland Migration of the Cossar family to Ireland

Some of the Cossar family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 92 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Cossar migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cossar Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Jacob Cossar, who landed in New York in 1664 1

Australia Cossar migration to Australia +

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

Cossar Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • James Cossar, aged 33, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Star Queen" 2

New Zealand Cossar 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:

Cossar Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. George Cossar, Scottish tanner from Edinburgh travelling from Leith aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January 1858 3
  • Mr. John Cossar, Scottish settler from Edinburgh travelling from Leith aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January 1858 3
  • Mr. William Cossar, Scottish blacksmith from Edinburgh travelling from Leith aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January 1858 3
  • Miss Mary Cossar, Scottish servant from Edinburgh travelling from Leith aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January 1858 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Cossar (post 1700) +

  • Brian Edwin Cossar, the managing director of a Malaysian company
  • Neil Cossar, British disc jockey and former professional guitarist
  • James Cossar Ewart (1851-1933), Scottish zoologist


  1. 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)
  2. South Australian Register Monday 1st January 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Star Queen 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/starqueen1854.shtml
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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