Corpening History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Corpening is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was name for a dark-haired person. In Yorkshire and Suffolk, the surname Corpening is derived from the Old Norse word korpr, which means raven; in Oxfordshire, the surname is derived from the Old French word corp, which has the same meaning. 1

Early Origins of the Corpening family

The surname Corpening was first found in Yorkshire, where Walter le Corp was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1177. Later, William le Corp was listed at Oseney, Oxfordshire in 1231 and later again, James Corp was found in Suffolk in 1297. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had only one listing for the family, Stephen de Corp, Lincolnshire 3 and similarly Somerset had only one: John Corp, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 4

In Dartmouth, Devon, "Special need of defence is shown in the license granted to John Corp to embattle his house at the entrance of the harbour ; and it is a point worth noting That in the adjoining church of Stoke Fleming, the oldest brasses in the county are to John Corp (1361), and to Elyenore, presumably a Corp also (1381)." 5

Early History of the Corpening family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Corpening research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1231, 1273, 1293, 1297, 1744 and 1801 are included under the topic Early Corpening History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Corpening Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Corpening have been found, including Corp, Corps, Corpe and others.

Early Notables of the Corpening family

More information is included under the topic Early Corpening Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Corpening family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become powerful new nations. Among early immigrants of the Corpening surname to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were: Edward Corp who arrived in America in 1747; and George Corps sailed to San Francisco in 1851.

Contemporary Notables of the name Corpening (post 1700) +

Steve Corpening (b. 1965), former American soccer player who played from 1984 to 1995

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital