Show ContentsCowpar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Cowpar family

The surname Cowpar was first found in Yorkshire where the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list the family as follows: Johannes Cowper, glover; and Johannes Couper, coupar,. 1

Early History of the Cowpar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cowpar research. Another 209 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1147, 1430, 1453, 1455, 1484, 1487, 1510, 1512, 1534, 1561, 1600, 1622, 1656, 1659, 1664, 1666, 1670, 1683, 1705, 1709, 1723, 1728 and 1865 are included under the topic Early Cowpar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cowpar Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Cowpar include Cowper, Couper, Copper and others.

Early Notables of the Cowpar family

Distinguished members of the family include John Cowper (c.1453-1484), English mason, who was in charge of the work at Rothesay Castle, Bute, in 1512; Sir William Cowper, 1st Baronet of Ratling Court, Nonington, Kent; his son, James Cowper (1622-1683) was an English lawyer and politician, Member of Parliament for Hertford (1656-1659); William Cowper (1664-1723)...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cowpar Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cowpar family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled 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 ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Cowpar or a variant listed above: Johanna Cowper, who came to Virginia in 1622; Alveryn Cowper, who came to Virginia in 1635; Robert Cowper, who arrived in Maryland in 1650; Grace Cowper, who settled in Maryland in 1720.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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