Couch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 


The distinguished surname Couch emerged among the industrious people of Flanders, which was an important trading partner and political ally of Britain during the Middle Ages. As a result of the frequent commercial intercourse between the Flemish and English nations, many Flemish migrants settled in Britain. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. Occupational surnames were derived from the common trades of the medieval era. The surname Couch is an occupational name for a maker of couches or beds or an upholsterer. The surname is derived from the Old French word couch, which means couch. 1Occupational names frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. These types of occupational surnames are called metonymic surnames.

Alternatively, the name could have been "a Cornish form of Cooch [Welsh coch, red]." 2

Early Origins of the Couch family

The surname Couch was first found in Oxfordshire where they held a family seat from early times. Couch's Mill is a small hamlet in Cornwall which has been spelt Couchs Mill, Couch's Mill and Couches Mill over the years.

However, we must look to Sussex to find the earliest record of the family. It is there that John le Cochere was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. Later the Corpus Christi Guild (Surtees Society) in Yorkshire had these interesting entries confirming the occupational etymology: William Cawoou, cowcher, Yorkshire, 1443; and Robert Bell, cowcher, Yorkshire, 1442. 3

In Cornwall, "the manor of Luxulian, which was in the family of Couch so early as the reign of James I. was sold to the Rashleigh family in the days of Charles I." 4

Early History of the Couch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Couch research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1270, 1273, 1295, 1544, 1563, 1758 and 1760 are included under the topic Early Couch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Couch Spelling Variations

Flemish surnames are characterized by a large number of spelling variations. One reason for this is that medieval English lacked definite spelling rules. The spellings of surnames were also influenced by the official court languages, which were French and Latin. Names were rarely spelled consistently in medieval times. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to specific spelling rules, and people often had their names registered in several different forms throughout their lives. One of the greatest reasons for change is the linguistic uniqueness of the Flemish settlers in England, who spoke a language closely related to Dutch. The pronunciation and spelling of Flemish names were often altered to suit the tastes of English-speaking people. In many cases, the first, final, or middle syllables of surnames were eliminated. The name has been spelled Couche, Couch, Cowch, Cowche, Cauch, Cawch, Cauche, Cawche, Coutche, Coutch, Coucher, Cowcher, Couchur and many more.

Early Notables of the Couch family

Prominent in the family at this time was

Couch Ranking

In the United States, the name Couch is the 1,238th most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Couch family to Ireland

Some of the Couch family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Couch migration to the United States +

Investigation of immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Couch:

Couch Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Couch Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Couch Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Couch Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Couch migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Couch Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Couch migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Couch Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Couch Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Couch 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:

Couch Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Couch (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Couch +
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