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![Show Contents]() Copenger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 added many new elements to an already vibrant culture. Among these were thousands of new names. The Copenger family lived in Suffolk which is derived from the Old English copp, a word for the top or summit of a hill, and indicates someone who lived in such a place. Another reference presumes that the name was derived from the word "coppin," which was a "piece of yarn taken from a spindle." 1 The Suffolk expression "To live like a Coppinger, points to the wealth and hospitality of a family of this name who flourished in the 16th and 17th century at Buxhall." 1 Early Origins of the Copenger familyThe surname Copenger was first found in Suffolk where they held a family seat from very early times. Records from the year 1290 showed Greffrey Coppinger and Walter Coppinger in Waketown, Norfolk. Roger Coppinger of Waketun is listed in Norfolk in that same era, in the Rotuli Hundredorum. Other early records of the name include Seman Copinger, listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327; William Copenger listed in the Feet of Fines of Suffolk in 1383; and William Copynger, listed in the Feet of Fines of Essex in 1489. 2 Early History of the Copenger familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Copenger research. Another 180 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1319, 1411, 1412, 1415, 1416, 1436, 1503, 1512, 1513, 1532, 1547, 1583, 1592, 1603, 1604, 1621, 1626, 1646, 1659, 1675 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Copenger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Copenger Spelling VariationsNorman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Coppinger, Coppenger, Copenger, Copinger, Coppynger, Copinsher and many more. Early Notables of the Copenger familyNotables of this surname at this time include: William Copinger (d. 1436), who became the parson (rector) of Buxhall in 1416. He was a member of a family settled at Buxhall, Suffolk. His will is dated 20 Jan. 1411-1412, and was proved on 2 March 1415-1416. He was buried at Buxhall. 3
Sir Ralph Copinger, of Suffolk, was knighted on the battlefield at on Muckleburgh, in 1547, fighting against the Scots.
John Coppin or Copping (d. 1583), was a Brownist, who lived in Bury St. Edmunds. He enthusiastically accepted the teachings of Robert Browne; preached Browne's doctrines in his native town...
Another 195 words (14 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Copenger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Copenger family to Ireland
Some of the Copenger family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Copenger migration to the United States | + |
Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Copenger or a variant listed above:
Copenger Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Francis Copenger, who settled in Virginia in 1793
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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Copenger migration to the United States 
England
Ireland
