Show ContentsCoupe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Coupe is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Coupe was a name used for a person who habitually wore a long cloak or cape. The surname Coupe is derived from the Old English word cope, which emerged about 1225 and comes from the Old English word cape, which refers to a cloak or cape.

Early Origins of the Coupe family

The surname Coupe was first found in Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire where the family "appear in the character of civil servants of the crown in the reign of Richard II and Henry IV, and were rewarded with large grants of land." 1 The held family seats at Hardwick and Hanwell, both in the neighbourhood of Banbury. 1

Another source claims "Staffordshire is the home of the Copes, who are most numerous in the district of Stoke - on - Trent. In the reign of Charles II., Jonathan Cope, of Rauton Abbey, was High Sheriff for the county. The name is also represented in Cheshire and Derbyshire. The ancestors of the line of baronets of this name seem to hail originally from Oxfordshire. In the 13th century the name was established in Bucks, Beds, London, Suffolk, Norfolk, Lincolnshire." 2

Early History of the Coupe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coupe research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1549, 1551, 1557, 1578, 1588, 1601, 1604, 1614, 1632, 1660, 1675, 1690, 1745, 1760 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Coupe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coupe Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Coupe include Cope, Coap, Coape, Copes and others.

Early Notables of the Coupe family

Distinguished members of the family include Alan Cope (d. 1578), English Catholic divine, "a native of the city of London. He was educated at Oxford, and after taking the degree of B.A. was made perpetual fellow of Magdalen College in 1549. " 3Sir Anthony Cope (d. 1551), was an early English author, second son of William Cope of Hanwell, Oxfordshire, cofferer to Henry VII, by his second wife Joan, daughter of John Spencer of Hodnell, Warwickshire, was a member of Oriel College, Oxford, but does not appear to have graduated. 3Michael Cope (fl. 1557), was a Protestant author who fled from...
Another 101 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Coupe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coupe Ranking

In France, the name Coupe is the 1,510th most popular surname with an estimated 3,890 people with that name. 4

Ireland Migration of the Coupe family to Ireland

Some of the Coupe family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Coupe migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Coupe were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Coupe Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Anne Coupe, aged 37, who landed in America from Bolton England, in 1907
  • Frederick Coupe, aged 30, who landed in America from Camberwell, England, in 1910
  • Ellen Coupe, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States from Carlisle, England, in 1912
  • Frances Coupe, aged 40, who settled in America from Douglas, Isle of Man, in 1912
  • Agnes Coupe, aged 29, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1912
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Coupe migration to Australia +

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

Coupe Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Coupe, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "Agamemnon" on April 22, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 5
  • Mr. Anthony Coupe who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 4th August 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 6

New Zealand Coupe 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:

Coupe Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Miriam Ann Coupe, (b. 1859), aged 6 months, English settler from Nottingham travelling from London aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th November 1859 7
  • Mr. Herbert Coupe, (b. 1835), aged 24, English carpenter form Nottingham travelling from London aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th November 1859 7
  • Mrs. Miriam Coupe, (b. 1838), aged 21, English settler from Nottingham travelling from London aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th November 1859 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Coupe (post 1700) +

  • Eliza Coupe (b. 1981), American actress, best known for her role as Jane Kerkovich-Williams in the ABC comedy series Happy Endings
  • Bramdon Coupe (b. 1972), American former professional tennis player
  • Annie Coupe Speirs (1889-1926), British gold medalist freestyle swimmer at the 1912 Summer Olympics


The Coupe 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: Aequo adeste animo
Motto Translation: Be present with mind unchangeable.


  1. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  4. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  5. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Agamemnon voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1820 with 179 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/agamemnon/1820
  6. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
  7. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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