First found in Derbyshire where they were seated from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Roper or a variant listed above: John and Alise Ropear arrived in Boston Mass in 1637; Clement Roper arrived in Virginia in 1623; along with Thomas; Richard Roper arrived in Maryland in 1730.

Motto Translated: Light to the English, a cross to the French.

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