Show ContentsCoulepepper History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Coulepepper is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was originally a name for someone who worked as a spicer. The name is derived from two Old English elements, cul and pepper. It meant "pepper gatherer." 1 As spices were rare and expensive in the medieval period, this would have been a valued occupation.

Early Origins of the Coulepepper family

The surname Coulepepper was first found in Kent where the family descend from Culpepers of Bay Hall, Pembury, Kent. It is generally thought that the first record of the family was John de Colepepper (c. 1140) from Bay Hall, Pepenbury. His son, Sir Thomas de Colpepper (1170-c.1200) was Recognitor of the Grand Assize in Sussex. He died in Sussex at the age of 30. Bay Hall Manor was held by the family until 1480 when it was sold Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham.

In West Peckham, Kent, a Commandery of Knights Hospitallers was founded in 1408, by John Colepepper, one of the judges of the Common Pleas. 2

Early History of the Coulepepper family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coulepepper research. Another 161 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1290, 1321, 1588, 1600, 1601, 1616, 1632, 1635, 1644, 1651, 1654, 1656, 1660, 1663, 1668, 1670, 1677, 1683, 1689, 1700, 1723, 1725 and 1740 are included under the topic Early Coulepepper History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coulepepper Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Coulepepper are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Coulepepper include Colepeper, Colpepper, Culpeper, Culpepper, Colepepper, Colpeper, Collpeper and many more.

Early Notables of the Coulepepper family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Geoffrey Colepeper High Sheriff of Kent; Sir William Culpeper, (1588-1651) 1st Baronet of Culpeper of Preston Hall, Kent; Sir Richard Culpeper, 2nd Baronet of Preston Hall (d 1660); Sir Cheney Culpeper (1601-1663), an English landowner; John Colepeper of Bedgebery (ca.1600-1660), 1st Baron Culpeper of Thoresway, an English politician; Nicholas Culpeper (1616-1654), an English botanist, herbalist...
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Coulepepper Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Coulepepper family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Coulepepper or a variant listed above: Henry Culpeper who settled in Virginia in 1663; Jonathan Culpeper settled in Virginia in 1646; William Culpepper settled in New England in 1634; Margaret Culpepper settled in Virginia in 1751..



  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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