Cooper Family Line

Cooper Family Line

________________________________________________________________________________

Grandy's 5x Great-Grandmother:

My 7x Great-Grandmother:

Laila Laemmel-Gordon's 8x Great-Grandmother:

Margaret Cooper (1734 - 1813)

Margaret Patterson

Mary Margaret Patterson

Also known as: "Mary"

Birthdate: ca. 1729-1734

Birthplace: Bucks County, Province of Pennsylvania

Denomination: (probably) Quaker / Baptist

Date of Marriage: ca. 1752-1753

Place of Marriage: Bucks County, Province of Pennsylvania

Death: March 8, 1813 in Orange County, North Carolina

Burial: Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery Kimesville, Alamance County, North Carolina

Parents:

John Cooper

1709-1783

Sarah Rutledge

1713-1745

Family

Spouse:

John Patterson (1730 - 1791)

Also known as: "John Patterson, Sr.", "John Pattison"

Birthdate: 1730 (only one source gives 1709)

Birthplace: County Sligo, Ireland (some sources give County Antrim)

Denomination: (probably) Presbyterian / Baptist

Death: June 12, 1791 in Orange County, North Carolina

Burial: Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery Kimesville, Alamance County, North Carolina

Immediate Family:

Son of William Patterson and Hannah Peeples

See: Patterson Family Line

Children:

1. William C. Patterson 1754–1796

2. Capt. James Alexander Patterson 1755–1838

3. George W. Patterson 1756–1796

4. William L. Patterson 1759–1847

5. John Patterson, Sr. 1760–1839

6. Mary Polly Cooper Patterson Ferguson 1762–1822

7. David Patterson 1765–1847

8. Jean Patterson 1769–1800

9. Nancy Patterson 1770–1858

10. Agnes Patterson 1770–

11. Isaac Patterson 1772–1825

12. Margaret Patterson 1775–1860

13. Mary Patterson 1777–

About

Biography (doubtful)

Mary Margaret Patterson was born in 1729, at birth place.

Mary married John Patterson.

John was born in 1709, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

They had one daughter: Mary Ferguson.

Mary passed away on month day 1813, at age 84 at death place.

She was buried in month 1813, at burial place, North Carolina.

https://www.myheritage.com/names/mary_margaret%20cooper

Sources attached besides findagrave.com and including the last will and testament of her husband, John Patterson, show her given name as "Margaret" not "Mary"

Notes on Origins & Parents:

Margaret (Cooper) Patterson (ca. 1729/34 - 1813)

Was probably not born in Ireland, but it's very likely she was born where she was married, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and that her father was either William, Henry or John Cooper, of Bucks County (see sources below). Plus, children were usually named after another member of the family, and she had an aunt named Margaret. And I've found no proof that she was born or christened in Millbrook, Ulster, Sligo, Ireland. We must also consider that their eldest son William C Patterson was born in 1754 in Bucks County, Penn. Records indicate they were married in 1753, so, though it is possible, it's rather unlikely they were making an Ocean voyage while she was near ready to give birth.

It's stated that his name was John Pattison on his birth and christening record, yet no one with that name comes up in any searches. There's also no records of his, or their, arrival. And i could find no records of any Cooper's immigrating from Ireland to Pennsylvania in the 1750's. Though he may have been from Ireland, it's much more likely that she was born in Bucks, Pennsylvania.

Also, her birthdate seems to be off by a few years, as her marriage date being 1753, she was likely 18 or 19 years old, which means she was born in either 1733 or 34...most likely the latter, as 19-20 was the usual marrying age for the period. And since there's little details as to her birthplace or birthdate it's likely the source is not accurate. Therefore, Sarah Rutledge was quite possibly her mother. That would also coincide with her mother's age, as she was born in 1713 and married in Feb. 1734, so she would've been 21 when Margaret was born.

So, after much searching, the best candidates for her father are among the 3 sons of Henry Cooper (1674-1710) and Mary Buckman (1680-1740)...

1. John Cooper (1709-1783) married at age 25 (to Sarah Rutledge), which is a little late for that period. Some records indicate he had married earlier but evidence to who it was is sketchy. Though he & Sarah had a daughter named Margaret (1741-?) who married. So he's probably not the best candidate...unless their daughter was our Mary "Margaret", but just with a wrong birthdate...?

2. It is possible her father was the elder brother, William Cooper (1705/07-1793) who has no records of a marriage, but likely did marry and have children, as it's unlikely he lived such a long life without them. Him being older would also make him a more likely candidate, and the fact that there aren't any records indicates a good possibility why her origin records are virtually non-existent. Despite the lack of records, he seems the best candidate.

3. There was a third brother, Henry Cooper (1707/08-1788), but there are no records of him having any children, and it appears his wife may have died early (possibly in childbirth). So he's also a candidate. It also appears he married in New Jersey, even though he was born & died in Bucks County, Penn. So maybe they travelled while she was several months pregnant and it caused her to go into labor prematurely...? Hard to know and one can only guess.

So, though it's confusing and frustrating, we're left with three choices, as it's just unlikely there's another scenario.

Sincerely,

Shane McFarland Lämmel, her 7th Great-Grandson

Possible Fathers:

Most Likely Candidate

John Cooper (1709-1783)

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/9ZQZ-4WL

https://www.geni.com/people/John-Cooper/6000000005966829302

https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/9ZQZ-4WL/john-cooper-1709-1783

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cooper-8777

https://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/kelson-burbank-genealogy/P2184.php

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/119093261/john-p_-cooper

https://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/niece-parsons-family-tree/P2319.php

https://www.fold3.com/page/630317887/john-cooper/facts

William Cooper (1707 - 1793)

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cooper-8774

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L9GZ-XYV

Henry Cooper (1707–1805)

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LZ8F-8L2

Possible Grandfather:

Henry Cooper (1674 - 1709)

https://www.geni.com/people/Henry-Cooper-I/6000000006596899348

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cooper-74

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LY6S-BXX

https://wc.rootsweb.com/trees/189848/I4246/henry-cooper/individual

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12684377/henry-cooper

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/209852299/henry-cooper

https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LY6S-BXX/henry-cooper%2C-sr.-1674-1710

Husband of Alice Gill and a different John Cooper so, wrong person:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/109660546/alice-cooper

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/109660382/john-cooper

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cooper-20524

Spouse Sources:

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LV8K-ZGT

https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LV8K-ZGT/margaret-cooper-1729-1813

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cooper-12024

http://www.chrisman.org/pedigree/out45.htm

https://wc.rootsweb.com/trees/189848/I4246/henry-cooper/individual

https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/b/u/c/Richard-Bucknam/GENE17-0004.html

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33432506/margaret-patterson

http://www.clan-home.org/tng11/getperson.php?personID=I1330&tree=2

https://www.geni.com/people/Margaret-Cooper/6000000036843887916

________________________________________________________________________________

Grandy's 6x Great-Grandfather:

My 8x Great-Grandfather:

Laila Laemmel-Gordon's 9x Great-Grandfather:

John Cooper (1709 - 1783)

Birthdate: April or July 19, 1709

Birthplace: Middletown Township, Bucks County, Province of Pennsylvania

Denomination: (probably) Quaker

Military Service: US Revolutionary War; 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment; Battle of Quebec 1775-1776; New York and New Jersey Campaign 1776-77; Philadelphia Campaign 1777-78; New Jersey 1780

Death: May 3, 1783 in Northampton Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Parents:

Henry Cooper

1674-1709

Mary Buckman

1680-1740

Family

Spouse:

Sarah Rutledge

1713-1745

Sarah Cooper

Also known as: "Sarah Routledge"

Birthdate: December 1, 1713

Birthplace: Middletown Township, Bucks County, Province of Pennsylvania

Denomination: (probably) Quaker

Date of Marriage: February 2, 1734

Place of Marriage: Bucks County, Province of Pennsylvania

Death: aft. 1745 in Bucks County, Province of Pennsylvania

Immediate Family (probably):

Daughter of John Routledge (1676 - 1725) and Margaret Dalton (1681 - 1735)

Children:

1. Margaret Cooper 1734–1813

2. John Cooper 1736–

3. Henry Cooper 1737–

4. William Cooper 1739–

5. Henry Cooper 1741–1805

6. Margaret Cooper 1741–

7. Sarah Cooper 1743–1796

8. Margaret Jane Cooper 1745–

9. Mary Cooper 1745–

10. John Cooper, Jr. 1745–1829

About John Cooper

Military Service: US Revolutionary War; 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment

Henry Cooper (1674 - 1709)

Henry Cooper, I

Also known as: "Couper"

Birthdate: November 17, 1674

Birthplace: Snapt, Low Ellington, Yorkshire, England

Christened: January 17, 1674 at Masham, Yorkshire, England

Denomination: (probably) Anglican / Quaker

Arrival: in 1699 on the ship 'Britannia'

Occupation: Blacksmith

Death: May 17, 1709 in Newtown Township, Bucks County, Province of Pennsylvania

Place of Burial: Solebury Friends Graveyard, Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Parents:

William Cooper lll

1649-1709

Thomasine Porter

1647-1699

Family

Spouse:

Mary Buckman

1680-1740

Mary Cooper

Also Known As: "Mary Strawn", "Mary Straughan", "Strawhen"

Birthdate: ca. 1680/1681

Birthplace: Billingshurst, West Sussex, England

Denomination: (probably) Quaker (disowned by Society when she married Lancelot Straughan)

Arrival: in 1682, when Mary Buckman was 2 years old, her family came to America with William Penn on the ship "Welcome". Family tradition says that she sat on the lap of William Penn while at sea.

Date of Marriage: November 30, 1703

Place of Marriage: Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Death: September 10, 1740 in Bethlehem, Hunterdon County, Province of New Jersey

Place of Burial: Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon, Province of New Jersey

Immediate Family:

Daughter of William Buckman (1657-1716) and Sarah Rowland (1658-1690)

Children:

1. Ruth Cooper 1704–1750

2. William Cooper 1705–1793

3. Henry Cooper 1707–1805

4. Sarah Cooper 1708–1772

5. John Cooper 1709–1783

6. Margaret Cooper 1710–

About Henry Cooper

Arrival Source:

http://www.haworthassociation.org/George/Voyage/Passenger-list.html

Henry Cooper was born in Low Ellington, an area of lower Wensleydale North Yorkshire, England. He arrived in the new world with his father, William Cowper (Cooper), and siblings. His mother Thomasine Porter Cooper is believed to have died in passage and been buried at sea.

Henry married Mary Buckman, daughter of William and Sarah Rowland Buckman, who also immigrated to the new world from England with her family. Their children were born between 1704 and 1709. Henry died about 1710 leaving Mary with at least four small children, although some Quaker records indicate five.

Mary married Lancelot Strawn in 1716, against the wishes of her Quaker community. They had a son, Jacob Strawn. Jacob's daughter Mary and Job Cooper, the son of John Cooper (and grandson of Henry and Mary Buckman Cooper) married. Thus, the children of Job Strawn and Mary Cooper Strawn had grandfathers who were half brothers.

HENRY COOPER/Couper, baptized by Anglican rites in Low Ellington, Yorkshire, Jan. 13, 1674/5.

Evidently his parents became Quakers soon after his baptism.

Bucks Co, PA Church Records, Falls and Middletown Monthly Meetings (Quaker)[1] - Marriages:

"Henry Cooper, of Middletown Tp., m. 30th day of 9th month, 1703, Mary Buckman, dau. of William, of Newton Tp., co. aforesaid, at the house of William Twining, in Newtown Tp."

Henry was a Quaker and a blacksmith; will dated 1709, Philadelphia Co.says he is of Newtown, Pa.

Henry died in 1710 (age about 35) and Mary was left with five small children under 6 years old.

She remained a widow for about 6 years, then she m 2nd in 1716 to Lancelot Straughan (Strawhen/Strawn)

Bucks Co, PA Church Records, Falls and Middletown Monthly Meetings (Quaker)[2]

"Children of Henry and Mary (Buckman) Cooper:

Henry Cooper b. 25th day of 11th month, 1707;

John Cooper b. 19th day of 5th month, 1709."

Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=74793048&pid=3906

Sources

↑ Bucks County, Pennsylvania Church Records of the 17th and 18th Centuries, Vol 2, Quaker Records: Falls and Middletown Monthly Meetings. (by F. Edward Wright, 1993) - Marriages

↑ Bucks County, Pennsylvania Church Records of the 17th and 18th Centuries, Volume 2, Quaker Records: Falls and Middletown Monthly Meetings. (F. Edward Wright, 1993) - Births

Source: #S-535853884S-535853884 Repository: #R-541783643 http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=8570615&pid=-373085546 Ancestry Family Trees; Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.

References:

https://www.geni.com/people/Henry-Cooper-I/6000000006596899348

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LY6S-BXX

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/209852299/henry-cooper

https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LY6S-BXX/henry-cooper%2C-sr.-1674-1710

https://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/kelson-burbank-genealogy/P140.php

https://wc.rootsweb.com/trees/115002/P350/henry-cooper/individual

Spouse:

Mary Buckman Cooper Strawhen was born in the Parish of Billinghurst, County Sussex, England. She came to America with her parents in the ship "WELCOME" with William Penn. They were members of the Friends Society (Quakers).

In 1682, when Mary Buckman was 2 years old, her family came to America with William Penn on the ship 'Welcome'. Family tradition says that she sat on the lap of William Penn while at sea.

Mary's first husband was Henry Cooper, who made her a widow when he died in about 1710, leaving her with 5 small children.

According to Mary's condemnation record in the Middletown Monthly Meeting Minutes of July 6th, 1716, Mary was exhorted by the Friends Society (Quakers) and relatives when she married her second husband Lancelot Strawhen, because they were against the marriage, but she married him anyway. There is no record showing that she reunited. Mary and Lancelot Strawhen had only one son together, his name was Jacob Strawn born in about 1717.

References:

https://www.geni.com/people/Mary-Cooper/6000000011163653426

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LJJZ-H7B

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Buckman-198

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130159740/mary-cooper_strawhen

https://wc.rootsweb.com/trees/136739/I29500/mary-buckman/individual

https://www.frostandgilchrist.com/getperson.php?personID=I8126&tree=frostinaz01

https://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/richard-and-charlotte-allen-cosby-ancestry/P25559.php

________________________________________________________________________________

Grandy's 8x Great-Grandfather:

My 10x Great-Grandfather:

Laila Laemmel-Gordon's 11x Great-Grandfather:

Family

Spouse:

First Quaker in the Family Line

Arrival Source:

http://www.haworthassociation.org/George/Voyage/Passenger-list.html

William and family arrived to PA as Quakers from England in 1699. William is noted in Besse's Sufferings. Cowper's contributed to America in many areas. A descendent of William would start what is known today as Stanford University. Coopers would marry into names that are descended from Mary Dyer and Anne Hutchinson. Religious Freedom has it's foundations in these women and Quakers. George Fox made the Testimony, "Even those who never heard of Christ or Christianity can find salvation, provided they are true to their inner light". He also said the Women are Equal before God. Therefore they are right and just to speak in Meeting as God moved through them to their Testimony. Equality is born from Quakers in many respects. William Cowper was convinced of Truth 1669 or 1672. History of Bucks County PA provides first date. Other marriage dates to Thomasine state 1672. It would take most, Many years of reading before they could understand just how important and significant Quakers contributed. Also, to understand how early forms of worship are revived. Awaiting in silence to receive God's Light or as I say our Daily Bread. Be still and know that I am God. (Mysticism/Silent Worship)

Possible burial in other cite suggested, to be checked at later date but here is suggestion:

I don't believe that he's buried in this cemetery. The burials on that property don't date back that far. Perhaps he is in one of the adjacent properties probably in Falls Cemetery #1. Please revise the cemetery to reflect this fact.

"Willyam son of Willyam Cowpar of High Ellington, baptized Aug 16, 1649."

(Transcribed and edited by David M. Smith, Parish Register of Masham, 1599-1837, Leeds, England : Yorkshire Archaeological Society. Parish Register Section, 1996-2004, FHL # 942.74 K25pr, Volume 161, 1599-1716, Page 62) Willyam Cowpar (William Cooper)'s Christening record was found in the Masham Parish Records in Masham, Yorkshire, England. William had his name spelled in various ways during his life. In his christening record his name is spelled as Willyam Cowpar. He joined the Society of Friends sometime after the birth of his first two children, Elizabeth & Henry. In the Quaker Records of the Masham Monthly Meeting in Yorkshire England his name was spelled as William Cooper. In Pennsylvania Quaker records his name was spelled William Cooper and sometimes as William Couper.

William and family arrived to PA as Quakers from England in 1699. William is noted in Besse's Sufferings. Cowper's contributed to America in many areas. A descendent of William would start what is known today as Stanford University. Coopers would marry into names that are descended from Mary Dyer and Anne Hutchinson. Religious Freedom has it's foundations in these women and Quakers.

George Fox made the Testimony, "Even those who never heard of Christ or Christianity can find salvation, provided they are true to their inner light". He also said the Women are Equal before God. Therefore they are right and just to speak in Meeting as God moved through them to their Testimony.

Equality is born from Quakers in many respects. William Cowper was convinced of Truth 1669 or 1672. History of Bucks County PA provides first date. Other marriage dates to Thomasine state 1672. It would take most, Many years of reading before they could understand just how important and significant Quakers contributed. Also, to understand how early forms of worship are revived. Awaiting in silence to receive God's Light or as I say our Daily Bread. Be still and know that I am God. (Mysticism/Silent Worship)

Possible burial in other cite suggested, to be checked at later date but here is suggestion: I don't believe that he's buried in this cemetery. The burials on that property don't date back that far. Perhaps he is in one of the adjacent properties probably in Falls Cemetery #1. Please revise the cemetery to reflect this fact.

References:

https://www.geni.com/people/William-Cooper-III/6000000006592284725

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LZL9-YG2

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cooper-123

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/102840406/william-cowper

https://wc.rootsweb.com/trees/115002/P340/william-cooper/individual

https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LZL9-YG2/william-cooper-lll-1649-1709

Wrong Info:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/108103347/william-cooper

Notes on Spouse:

Christening and Marriage of parents Ralph Porter and Mary Theaxton.

Christening:

"Thomassin daughter of Ralph Porter of Swinton, baptized Feb 28, 1646/7."

Transcribed and edited by David M. Smith, Parish Register of Masham, 1599-1837, Leeds, England : Yorkshire Archaeological Society. Parish Register Section, 1996-2004, FHL # 942.74 K25pr, Volume 161, 1599-1716, Page 60.

Marriage of her parents: "Ralph Porter of Swinton & Marye Theaxton were married Nov 17, 1640."

(Transcribed and edited by David M. Smith, Parish Register of Masham, 1599-1837, Leeds, England : Yorkshire Archaeological Society. Parish Register Section, 1996-2004, FHL # 942.74 K25pr, Volume 161, 1599-1716, page 172)

RESEARCH NOTES: Masham Parish marriage entry shows that they married on this date in the parish church. The place of residence given is the nearby township of Swinton.

Wife of William Cowper with children. Death unknown possibly died at sea on Brittania on their way to Pennsylvania. Early Quakers from Yorkshire England set forward to Bucks CO PA. Porter family is traceable back to thirteenth century or fourteenth century on ancestry site via a common ancestor.

________________________________________________________________________________

Grandy's 9x Great-Grandfather:

My 11x Great-Grandfather:

Laila Laemmel-Gordon's 12x Great-Grandfather:

William Cowper, II (1618 - 1673)

William Cooper, II

Birthdate: ca. 1618

Birthplace: Low Ellington, Yorkshire, England

Christened: ca. 1618 at Church of St Mary the Virgin, Masham, Yorkshire, England

Denomination: (probably) Anglican

Death: March 29, 1673 in Marsham, Yorkshire, England

Place of Burial: Yorkshire, England

Parents:

Willyam Cowpar, of Ellington

1593-1668

Frances DeSourbye

1590-1660

Family

Spouse:

Children:

1. William Cooper, lll 1649–1709

2. Thomas Cowpar 1650–

3. Isabell Cowpar 1652–

4. Persevell Cowpar 1654–1666

5. John Cowpar 1655–

About William Cowper, II

"Willyam son of Willyam Cowpar of Ellington, baptized Jan 11, 1617/18." (Transcribed and edited by David M. Smith, Parish Register of Masham, 1599-1837, Leeds, England : Yorkshire Archaeological Society. Parish Register Section, 1996-2004, FHL # 942.74 K25pr, volume 161, 1599-1716, page 25.)

Notes: The Parish Church was located in Masham, a market town. Masham Parish records give the baptism date for Willyam Cowpar and state he was born in Ellington. Ellington is a township nearby Masham, York, England. It states his father is Willyam Cowpar.

The first year of the baptism date is according to Julian Calendar, and the second year of same date is according to Gregorian Calendar. Page xi: "The ancient parrish of Masham in the North Riding of Yorkshire comprised the market town of Masham with the several townships of Swinton with Warthermarske, Ilton com Pott, Fearby, Healey with Sutton, High and Low Ellington, Ellingstring and Burton upon Ure."

Parish records indicate there was only one "Cowpar" family from the township of Ellington or High Ellington. It appears Ellington later became Low Ellington and High Ellington.

Note: The birth date of 6 January 1629, Low Ellington, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom that others have entered for his birth/christening is not correct. The date is not found in the records of Masham Parish, the parish that included the township of Low Ellington

"Willyam Cowpar of High Ellington buried 29 Mar 1673"

Notes:

Masham Parish record states place of death is High Ellington and states Willyam Cowpar was buried on this date.

(Transcribed and edited by David M. Smith, Parish Register of Masham, 1599-1837, Leeds, England : Yorkshire Archaeological Society. Parish Register Section, 1996-2004, FHL # 942.74 K25pr, volume 161, 1599-1716, page 284)

Notes:

Cowper is pronounced the same as Cooper. Masham Parish record states Willyam was of High Ellington (where he likely died} and states Willyam Cowpar was buried on this date.

See Cooper Family History

http://mv.ancestry.com/viewer/b7e2ec92-c02d-4883-a17f-e1a7b6df7aec/89895299/230060566137?_phsrc=LZR716&usePUBJs=true

This gives an 8 generation history of cooper line. Starting with this William Cooper. I believe the christening date is incorrect.

Children:

1. William Cowper, II 1618–1673

About Willyam Cowpar, of Ellington

"At a court held in Masham Church on April 8th, 1618" a William Cowper was censured for recusancy (not attending church services).

At a court held May 24th, 1631 - "the wife of William Cowper" was "presented" for recusancy.

September 13, 1633: Ann the wife of William Cowper presented for recusancy.

April 12, 1636 - William Cowper for not paying his assessment.

References:

https://www.geni.com/people/William-Cooper-I/6000000121530242821

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LKKW-ZW9

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cooper-8106

https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LKKW-ZW9/william-cooper-i-1593-1668

________________________________________________________________________________

Cooper History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Cooper is an Anglo-Saxon name. The name was originally given to a cooper, a person who made and repaired barrels, casks, and buckets. It was a trade highly valued in the Middle Ages, as the construction or waterproof containers was no easy task with the tools of the time.

Cooper Family Motto

Clan Motto: Inclinata Resurgo

Translation: Though abased, I rise again

Early Origins of the Cooper family

The surname Cooper was first found in Sussex but the name is "distributed over the greater part of England, but rare or absent in the northern and south - western counties. It seems to have three principal centres, one in the northern midlands, including Cheshire, another in Sussex and Hants, and a third in Suffolk. The counties especially notable for Coopers are Cheshire, Derbyshire, Hants, Leicestershire and Rutland, Notts, Suffolk, Sussex, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire."

The Pipe Rolls include some of the earliest records of the family: Robert (le) Cupere for Surrey (1176-7); ? le Cupers, Norfolk in 1181-2.

Name Meaning, Origin, and Etymology

This is an English occupational surname meaning “the cooper”, which was a person who made tubs, casks, vats, buckets, and barrels. This was a very common early trade name and an important craft during medieval times. It derives from the Old English word coper, itself derived from the Cyprian word cyprium meaning “bronze”, which likely confirms that trade existed between the near East and Britannica before the Christian era. Another source states it derives from the Middle Dutch word kuper, which means “tub” or “container”. One source asserts the family was first found in county Sussex.

There is also a town in Fifeshire, Scotland named Cupar, which is derived from Cu-pyre, meaning the inclosed fire, or co (high, a beacon fire or signal on the coast for ships) and pyre (a beacon fire on a high place). It is related to the word pier, a wharf or landing place for ships. The Danish word pyr or fyr means a lantern. Hence, it is possible the name also has locational origins.

Cooper Spelling Variations

It can be an Americanized form of the Ashkenazic Jewish surname Kupper of Kupfer. Foreign names with similar origins include Kuyper (Dutch) and Kupper (Flemish). In Holland, the name was first recorded in Decenter, Overyessel.

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Cooper has appeared include Cooper, Cowper, Couper, Cowpar, Coupar and others.

Cooper Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Justinian Cooper, who arrived in Virginia in 1618

Humility Cooper, who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620

Tho. Cooper, who arrived in Maryland in 1633

Jo Cooper, aged 20, who arrived in Virginia in 1635

Jon Cooper, who arrived in Virginia in 1635