A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coppens family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 4784 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à un buste de jeune homme aux bras tronqués, d'or, posé de trois quarts.”
NetherlandsBois-le, c. 1815
Where the Coppens Arms Were Recorded
Bois-le
Map of Netherlands showing where the Coppens arms are recorded
The Coppens arms were recorded in Bois-le, c. 1815.
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.
Region
Bois-le
Town
Bois-le
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Coppens Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Coppens arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Coppens Family in Netherlands
The family name Coppens finds its roots in the southern regions of the Low Countries, where it emerged as a patronymic surname derived from the personal name Jacob. By the early nineteenth century, the family established a notable presence in the city of Bois-le-Duc, which is known in Dutch as 's-Hertogenbosch. During the year 1815, this region was undergoing significant political change as the United Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed following the defeat of Napoleon. Families like the Coppens were often deeply integrated into the local urban life of this fortified city, which served as a crucial administrative and military hub in the province of North Brabant. The name reflects a long history of local identity, as members of the family were documented in municipal registers that tracked the population during this era of transition. These early records confirm that the Coppens family was well-established within the social fabric of the city, participating in the daily trade and civic duties that defined life in the newly formed Dutch state.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sin. à trois coupes couvertes d'or.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
Where the Coppens Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Coppens arms are recorded
The Coppens arms were recorded in Brabant, c. 1737.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Netherlands when the Coppens arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Brabant.
Origin & History of the Coppens Family in Belgium
The family name Coppens finds its roots in the historical region of Brabant, where it functioned as a patronymic surname derived from a shortened form of the name Jacob. By the early eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the Coppens family were well-established within this area, which was then part of the Southern Netherlands under Austrian rule. During this period, families in Brabant were often tied to the local agricultural economy or trade guilds that defined village life. Because the name was linked to a common first name, it emerged independently in several locations as a way to identify specific households. The presence of the family in 1737 suggests they were part of the stable, tax-paying population that maintained the social and economic fabric of the region during a time of significant transition in European history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pine coneLife and fertility
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à trois pommes de pin d'or.”
Francec. 1821
Where the Coppens Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Coppens arms are recorded
The Coppens arms were recorded in France, c. 1821.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Coppens Family in France
The family name Coppens carries a long history that is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of northwestern Europe. While the name is often associated with regions further north, historical records confirm that members of the Coppens family were well-established in the Brittany region of France by 1821. During this period, families with this surname were often involved in local trade and agricultural life, reflecting the industrious nature of the communities in which they settled. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots related to the occupation or physical description of early ancestors, eventually becoming a fixed family identifier as civil registration became more common across France. By the early 19th century, these families had integrated into the social fabric of the Breton countryside, contributing to the unique regional identity that defines that part of the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Jacobus
Derived from the Hebrew name Yaakov meaning supplanter or holder of heel.
This name
CoppensA patronymic surname meaning son of Jacob or son of Coppin, a diminutive form of Jacob.
also spelled
Copens
Koppens
Coppenz
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
pine coneLife and fertility
