Show ContentsCosser History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient name of Cosser finds its origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from a name for a horsemaster. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old French word cosser, for horse keeper, and was an official position within the noble household.

Early Origins of the Cosser family

The surname Cosser was first found in Staffordshire, where they seated from ancient times.

Early History of the Cosser family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cosser research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1227, 1273 and 1578 are included under the topic Early Cosser History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cosser Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Cosser family name include Corsar, Cosser, Corser, Corveiser, Coreviser and many more.

Early Notables of the Cosser family

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


New Zealand Cosser 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:

Cosser Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Cosser, (b. 1840), aged 34, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Dorette" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th April 1874 1
  • Mrs. Eliza Cosser, (b. 1846), aged 28, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Dorette" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th April 1874 1
  • Mr. John Cosser, (b. 1867), aged 7, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Dorette" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th April 1874 1
  • Mr. Arthur Cosser, (b. 1868), aged 6, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Dorette" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th April 1874 1
  • Mr. Albert Cosser, (b. 1869), aged 5, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Dorette" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th April 1874 1
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Cosser 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. 2
Cosser Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • William Cosser, who was sent as a servant to Jamaica in 1675


The Cosser 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: Recto cursu
Motto Translation: In a right course.


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies


Houseofnames.com on Facebook