A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Couper family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 5101 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
leafHappiness and abundance
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au chev. d'herm. bordé de gu., acc. de trois feuilles de laurier de sin., les tiges en bas. Cq. timbré d'une couronne murale d'arg. C.: une main de carn., tenant une couronne de laurier de sin. D.: VIRTUTE.”
BritainLondres, c. 1841
Where the Couper Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Couper arms are recorded
The Couper arms were recorded in Londres, c. 1841.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in Britain when the Couper arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Couper Family in Britain
The surname Couper is an occupational name that originated in medieval Britain to identify individuals who worked as coopers. These skilled craftsmen were essential to the economy because they built wooden barrels, buckets, and casks used to store and transport goods like ale, wine, and salted fish. The name became common across the country as these workers moved between towns to follow trade opportunities. By the time of the 1841 census, records confirm that families bearing the name were well-established in the county of Kent. These early ancestors likely lived in rural or coastal communities where their barrel-making skills supported local agriculture and shipping. Over several centuries, the name evolved from a job description into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
leafHappiness and abundance
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, a chev. gu. charged with another erm. betw. three laurel leaves slipped vert”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Couper Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Couper arms are recorded
The Couper 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 Britain when the Couper 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 Couper Family in Scotland
The name Couper is an occupational surname that originated in Scotland, derived from the Middle English and Middle Low German word for a merchant or a cooper. In the context of early Scottish history, the name was often associated with those who traded goods or crafted wooden barrels for the storage of salt, fish, and ale. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, a city that served as a bustling hub for trade and craftsmanship. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Couper family were active participants in the urban life of the capital during a period of significant economic growth. Their involvement in the city suggests they were integrated into the professional guilds and commercial networks that defined Scottish society at the time. Over the generations, the family name became firmly rooted in the local history of Edinburgh, reflecting the broader transition of Scottish society from rural labor to specialized urban industry.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a saltire ar. on a chief or, three lions ramp. gu”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Couper Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Couper arms are recorded
The Couper arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 Britain when the Couper 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 Couper Family in England
The surname Couper is an occupational name that emerged in medieval England to describe a person who made or repaired wooden vessels like barrels, buckets, and tubs. Because these containers were essential for storing and transporting goods such as ale, wine, and dry food, the trade was vital to the daily life of English towns. By the early seventeenth century, the name had become well-established across various regions, including London. Records confirm that individuals bearing the name were active in the city by 1620, likely participating in the bustling trade and commerce that defined the capital during that era. As the family settled into urban life, they contributed to the growth of London’s merchant class, helping to maintain the infrastructure of a city that served as the primary hub for national and international exchange.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cupa
A Latin term referring to a tub, cask, or barrel.
This name
CouperAn occupational surname for a maker or repairer of wooden barrels and casks.
also spelled
Couperr
Couppere
Kooper
Cowper
Coupar
Related arms
Coopersame arms
Cowpersame arms
Lampardsame arms
Couparvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, 1841 Census Returns, HO 107
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
leafHappiness and abundance
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
leafHappiness and abundance
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
