Map of England showing where the Coplan arms are recorded
The Coplan 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 Coplan 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 Coplan Family in England
The family name Coplan has roots that trace back to the historic city of York in the early seventeenth century. By 1620, records show that members of the family were already established residents within this northern English hub. During this era, York was a center for trade and religious administration, which likely influenced the daily lives and occupations of the early Coplan settlers. The name itself is thought to be a variation of topographical surnames, which were commonly adopted by families to describe the specific landscape where they lived, such as a hill or a headland. As these individuals navigated the social changes of the Stuart period, they contributed to the local community through their work and civic participation. Their presence in York serves as a starting point for understanding how the family integrated into the fabric of English society long before the name spread to other regions.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Gu. on a fesse or, three trefoils vert”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Coplan arms are recorded
The Coplan arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Coplan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Coplan Family in Scotland
The history of the Coplan name in Scotland is deeply tied to the urban development of Edinburgh during the mid-eighteenth century. By 1748, records confirm that members of the family were established residents within the city, a time when Edinburgh was transitioning from a cramped medieval capital into a center of Enlightenment thought. The name likely evolved as a variation of regional surnames found in the Scottish Lowlands, reflecting the movement of families from rural areas into the growing administrative and commercial hubs of the city. During this period, individuals bearing the name were often involved in the skilled trades and professional services that supported the city’s expanding economy. As the family settled into the social fabric of Edinburgh, they became part of the vibrant community that defined the Scottish capital before the construction of the New Town. Their presence in the city archives during this era highlights the role of ordinary families in shaping the local history of Scotland’s most prominent urban center.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Copeland
Old Norse for a piece of land bought or traded.
This name
CoplanA habitational surname for someone originating from a region known for trade or purchased land.
also spelled
Copeland
Coupland
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
