| ![Show Contents]() Colepeper History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The name Colepeper has been recorded in British history since the time when the Anglo-Saxons ruled over the region. The name is assumed to have been given to someone who was a spicer. The name is derived from two Old English elements, cul and pepper. It meant "pepper gatherer." 1 As spices were rare and expensive in the medieval period, this would have been a valued occupation. Early Origins of the Colepeper familyThe surname Colepeper was first found in Kent where the family descend from Culpepers of Bay Hall, Pembury, Kent. It is generally thought that the first record of the family was John de Colepepper (c. 1140) from Bay Hall, Pepenbury. His son, Sir Thomas de Colpepper (1170-c.1200) was Recognitor of the Grand Assize in Sussex. He died in Sussex at the age of 30. Bay Hall Manor was held by the family until 1480 when it was sold Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. In West Peckham, Kent, a Commandery of Knights Hospitallers was founded in 1408, by John Colepepper, one of the judges of the Common Pleas. 2 Early History of the Colepeper familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Colepeper research. Another 161 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1290, 1321, 1588, 1600, 1601, 1616, 1632, 1635, 1644, 1651, 1654, 1656, 1660, 1663, 1668, 1670, 1677, 1683, 1689, 1700, 1723, 1725 and 1740 are included under the topic Early Colepeper History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Colepeper Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Colepeper has been spelled many different ways, including Colepeper, Colpepper, Culpeper, Culpepper, Colepepper, Colpeper, Collpeper and many more. Early Notables of the Colepeper familyNotables of this surname at this time include: - Sir Geoffrey Colepeper High Sheriff of Kent
- John Colepeper of Bedgebery (ca.1600-1660), 1st Baron Culpeper of Thoresway, an English politician
Migration of the Colepeper familyThousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Colepepers to arrive in North America: Henry Culpeper who settled in Virginia in 1663; Jonathan Culpeper settled in Virginia in 1646; William Culpepper settled in New England in 1634; Margaret Culpepper settled in Virginia in 1751..
| Contemporary Notables of the name Colepeper (post 1700) | + |
- William Colepeper (b. 1726), English poet and politician from Hollingbourn, Kent
- Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
 |
