Cope History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The earliest origins of the Cope surname date from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name reveals that an early member was a person who habitually wore a long cloak or cape. The surname Cope is derived from the Old English word cope, which emerged about 1225 and comes from the Old English word cape, which refers to a cloak or cape.

Early Origins of the Cope family

The surname Cope was first found in Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire where the family "appear in the character of civil servants of the crown in the reign of Richard II and Henry IV, and were rewarded with large grants of land." 1 The held family seats at Hardwick and Hanwell, both in the neighbourhood of Banbury. 1

Another source claims "Staffordshire is the home of the Copes, who are most numerous in the district of Stoke - on - Trent. In the reign of Charles II., Jonathan Cope, of Rauton Abbey, was High Sheriff for the county. The name is also represented in Cheshire and Derbyshire. The ancestors of the line of baronets of this name seem to hail originally from Oxfordshire. In the 13th century the name was established in Bucks, Beds, London, Suffolk, Norfolk, Lincolnshire." 2

Early History of the Cope family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cope research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1549, 1551, 1557, 1578, 1588, 1601, 1604, 1614, 1632, 1660, 1675, 1690, 1745, 1760 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Cope History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cope Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Cope are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Cope include: Cope, Coap, Coape, Copes and others.

Early Notables of the Cope family

Distinguished members of the family include

Alan Cope (d. 1578), English Catholic divine, "a native of the city of London. He was educated at Oxford, and after taking the degree of B.A. was made perpetual fellow of Magdalen College in 1549. " (...
Sir Anthony Cope (d. 1551), was an early English author, second son of William Cope of Hanwell, Oxfordshire, cofferer to Henry VII, by his second wife Joan, daughter of John Spencer of Hodnell, Warwic...
Michael Cope (fl. 1557), was a Protestant author who fled from England to escape persecution in the reign of Mary, and took refuge in Geneva, where he preached much in French
Sir Walter Cope (d. 1614), was an English politician, second son of Edward and grandson of Sir Anthony Cope, was M.P. for St. Mawes in 1588, for Weymouth in 1601, for Westminster in 1604, and for Stoc...
Sir John Cope (1690-1760), was a British general who was defeated at the Battle of Prestonpans by Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745
Sir Anthony Cope, 4th Baronet (1632-1675), was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1660 to 1675

Cope Ranking

In the United States, the name Cope is the 1,539^th most popular surname with an estimated 19,896 people with that name. 3 However, in the United Kingdom, the name Cope is ranked the 722^nd most popular surname with an estimated 9,276 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Cope family to Ireland

Some of the Cope family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cope migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Cope or a variant listed above:

Cope Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Maria Cope, (Coke), aged 14, who landed in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Hopewell" 5
Richard Cope, aged 24, who landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 5
William Cope, aged 26, who landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 5
James Cope, who landed in Maryland in 1649 5
Giles Cope who settled in Virginia in 1654
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cope Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hannah Cope, who landed in Virginia in 1706 5
Yoost Cope, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1727 5

Cope Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Richard S Cope, aged 30, who landed in Maine in 1812 5
Edward Cope who settled in Rhode Island whose sons Richard and William became noted shoemakers of Boston
H C Cope, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 5
J Cope, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 5
Joseph Cope, who arrived in Mississippi in 1854 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cope migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cope Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. William Cope U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 he served in the Queen's Rangers Regiment 6
Mr. William Cope Sr., U.E. (b. 1719) born in United Kingdom from New York, USA who settled in Cope Town [Hamilton], Ontario c. 1783 he served in the Queen's Rangers Regiment, married Phoebe Ellsworth they had 9 children 6

Cope migration to Australia +

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

Cope Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Martin Cope, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on October 16, 1826, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 7
Mr. Joseph Cope, (b. 1809), aged 19, English convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 29th April 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1846 8
Mr. William Cope, English convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Emperor Alexander"on 6th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 9
Mr. Job Cope, English convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Fairlie" on 14th October 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Joseph Cope, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Porter" in 1839 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cope 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:

Cope Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

M. A. Cope, British settler travelling from Liverpool aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th October 1859 12
M. A. Cope, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mermaid" in 1859 13
D. Cope, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Zealandia" in 1874
Mr. Jesse Cope, (b. 1842), aged 32, English brick maker from Staffordshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 14
Mrs. Sarah Cope, (b. 1844), aged 30, English settler from Staffordshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Cope 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. 15

Cope Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

William Cope, who settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife, five children, and servants

Cope Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Anthony Cope, who settled in Jamaica in 1722

Contemporary Notables of the name Cope (post 1700) +

Warner Walton "W.W." Cope (1824-1903), American jurist, the 6th Chief Justice of California
Barbara Cope (1950-2018), nicknamed "The Butter Queen", an American rock and roll groupie from Dallas, Texas, who toured with Traffic, Jimi Hendrix and Joe Cocker, later Robert Plant dedicated the song "Dazed & Confused" to her in 1973
Thomas Darlington Cope (1880-1964), American physicist and historian of science
Kenneth Cope (b. 1961), American composer and performer of religious music
Derrike Cope (b. 1958), American racing driver, winner of the 1990 Daytona 500
Arthur C. Cope (1909-1966), American organic chemist
Edward Drinker Cope (1840-1897), American anatomist and paleontologist
Wendy Cope OBE (b. 1945), English poet
Jamie "Shotgun" Cope (b. 1985), English professional snooker player
John Cope (1791-1884), English music professor originally from Ross On Wye, father of George and Thomas Cope of Cope Brothers & Co
... (Another 15 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Cope family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Hector Allan Cope (d. 1914), British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 16
Mr. John Cope, British Assistant Pantryman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 16

Halifax Explosion

Mr. Louis Francis Cope (1903-1917), Canadian resident from Windsor Junction, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
Master Henry Cope (1905-1917), Canadian resident from Windsor Junction, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17

HMS Hood

Mr. Sidney J Cope (b. 1896), English Commissioned Gunner serving for the Royal Navy from Porchester, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 18
Mr. George R Cope (b. 1923), English Boy 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Southampton, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 18

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Thomas Cope, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 19

HMS Repulse

Mr. Charles T Cope, British Ordnance Artificer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 20

HMS Royal Oak

John Richard Cope (1914-1939), British Leading Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 21

The Cope Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Aequo adeste animo
Motto Translation: Be present with mind unchangeable.

Citations +

Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Andromeda voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1826 with 147 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1826
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th April 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emperor-alexander
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) PORTER 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Porter.gif
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). 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
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html