Corpus History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Corpus is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a dark-haired person. In Yorkshire and Suffolk, the surname Corpus 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 Corpus family

The surname Corpus 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 Corpus family

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

Corpus Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Corpus were recorded, including Corp, Corps, Corpe and others.

Early Notables of the Corpus family

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

Corpus Ranking

In the United States, the name Corpus is the 13,827^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 6

Corpus migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Corpus family emigrate to North America:

Corpus Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Daniel Corpus, aged 37, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Oakley C. Curtis" from Buenos Aires, Argentina 7
Felix Corpus, aged 27, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Kroonland" from Antwerp, Belgium 7
Jose Corpus, aged 26, arrived in New York in 1921 from St. Thomas, B.W.I. 7
Robert Corpus, aged 29, arrived in New York in 1921 from Marseille, France; Bicerte, Tunis 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Corpus (post 1700) +

Joey Corpus (1958-2017), American violin teacher in New York City
Victor Navarro Corpus (1944-2024), Filipino military officer

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
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result