A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coupar family of Scotland.
Reg. 8157 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hedgehogA provident provider
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a tortoise erect or”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Coupar Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Coupar arms are recorded
The Coupar 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 Scotland when the Coupar 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 Coupar Family in Scotland
The family name Coupar is deeply rooted in the history of Scotland, specifically linked to the town of Cupar in Fife. During the Middle Ages, people often took on the names of the places where they lived or worked, and those who moved away from this town were frequently identified by their place of origin. By the mid-eighteenth century, the name had become well-established in urban centers like Edinburgh. Records confirm that members of the Coupar family were active residents of the city by 1748, participating in the daily life and commerce of the Scottish capital during a time of significant social change. As the family grew, they contributed to the local community through various trades and professions, helping to weave their name into the broader fabric of Scottish history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cupar
A Scottish place name derived from the Gaelic word for confluence.
This name
CouparA topographic surname for someone who lived near the confluence of two rivers.
also spelled
Couper
Cowper
Related arms
Coupervariant spelling
Cowpervariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Testaments, CC8/8/111
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
hedgehogA provident provider
hedgehogA provident provider
