Show ContentsCopestake History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The history of the Copestake family goes back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the family living at the copstake or the post on top of the round hill or mound.

Early Origins of the Copestake family

The surname Copestake was first found in Yorkshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Copestake family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Copestake research. Another 225 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1295, 1301, 1379, 1474, 1500, 1729, 1749, 1790, 1791 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Copestake History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Copestake 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 Copestake include Capstick, Copestake, Copestick, Copstick, Capstack, Coupstak, Coupestack, Copstake, Cowpstake and many more.

Early Notables of the Copestake family

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


Australia Copestake migration to Australia +

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

Copestake Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Copestake, English convict from Derby, who was transported aboard the "Adelaide" on April 16, 1855, settling in Western Australia [1]

New Zealand Copestake 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:

Copestake Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Copestake, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Bosworth" arriving in Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand on 24th November 1857 [2]
  • Thomas Copestake, aged 32, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888
  • Hetty Copestake, aged 30, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888
  • Thomas J. Copestake, aged 10, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888
  • Joseph W. Copestake, aged 8, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Tongariro" in 1888
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 17) Adelaide voyage to Western Australia, Australia in 1855 with 261 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adelaide/1855
  2. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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