A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coppin family of England.
Reg. 1759 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
vairProtection, and the winter fur
Colours
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)
“Or, a chief of one row of vair”
HertfordHertford, c. 1608
Where the Coppin Arms Were Recorded
Hertford
Map of England showing where the Coppin arms are recorded
The Coppin arms were recorded in Hertford, c. 1608.
Hertfordshire lay just north of London and filled with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate within a day's ride was the usual next step, and an estate brought arms with it.
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 Coppin 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 Hertford.
Origin & History of the Coppin Family in England
The surname Coppin has deep roots in the English county of Hertfordshire, where members of the family were firmly established by the early seventeenth century. Historical records confirm that the family was present in the town of Hertford as early as 1608, living and working within this important market center. The name itself is believed to be a patronymic, which means it likely evolved from a nickname or a shortened version of a personal name like Jacob or Coppin. During this period, families often lived in the same region for generations, working as tradespeople or farmers to support the local economy. By settling in a prominent town like Hertford, the early Coppins were part of a growing community that helped shape the social and economic life of the region during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Jacob
Derived from the Hebrew name Yaakov meaning supplanter or held by heel.
This name
CoppinA diminutive form of the name Jacob, historically used as a pet name.
also spelled
Coppen
Coppyn
Related arms
Coppen, or Coppinvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies, Hertford St Andrew Parish Registers, 1608
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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
