A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Copland family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3932 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. two bars and a canton gu. (another, az.)”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Copland Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Copland arms are recorded
The Copland 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 Copland 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 Copland Family in England
The surname Copland originated as a locative name, meaning it was used to identify individuals who hailed from a specific place known as Copeland. In Old Norse, the term meant a purchased land or a piece of property acquired through trade. By the time the family was firmly established in York during the early seventeenth century, the name had evolved from a regional descriptor into a settled hereditary surname. During the 1620s, families bearing this name were part of the growing urban population in Northern England, where they often worked as merchants or skilled tradespeople. As these individuals moved through the bustling markets and parish churches of York, they helped solidify the name as a permanent fixture of the local community. This transition from a simple geographical label to a recognized family identity reflects the broader social shifts occurring in England as people began to settle into more stable, multi-generational family units.
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
Where the Copland Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Copland arms are recorded
The Copland 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 Copland 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 Copland Family in Scotland
The surname Copland has deep roots in the Scottish landscape, originating as a locational name for people who hailed from the region of Copeland in Cumberland, England. Over many centuries, families moved across the border and established themselves in various parts of Scotland, including the bustling city of Edinburgh. By the year 1748, records confirm that members of the Copland family were well-integrated into the social and economic life of the capital. During this period, the family name was associated with individuals who participated in the growing trade and professional sectors of the city. These early settlers helped shape the identity of the name in Scotland, moving away from its geographic origins to become a distinct part of the Scottish urban experience. As the family grew, they contributed to the local history of Edinburgh through their work and their presence in the community records of the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kaup-land
Old Norse for a piece of land used for trade or purchase.
This name
CoplandA topographical name for someone who lived on or owned land used for trading purposes.
also spelled
Copeland
Coupland
Related arms
Copelandsame arms
Couplandvariant spelling
Cowplandvariant spelling
Colerecorded with Copland, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Ekwall, Eilert, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, 1960
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, Lay Subsidy Rolls for the County of York
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
