A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Copen family of England.
Reg. 4504 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Per pale az. and gu. three boars' heads couped or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Copen Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Copen arms are recorded
The Copen arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Copen arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Copen Family in England
The family name Copen finds its early roots in the historic city of York, England, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, placing the family in a setting defined by both medieval tradition and the shifting social landscape of the seventeenth century. The name itself likely evolved as a topographical or occupational descriptor, reflecting the linguistic patterns common in Northern England at the time. As the family navigated the challenges of the early modern era, their presence in York suggests they were part of the growing urban middle class that supported the city’s markets and local governance. Over time, the name became a distinct marker of this specific lineage, tracing back to a time when families were deeply connected to the local identity of their home parish.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kaupman
Old English and Old Norse term for a merchant or trader.
This name
CopenAn occupational surname referring to a person who worked as a merchant or traded goods.
also spelled
Copan
Copin
Related arms
Copinvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
