A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coupland family of England.
Reg. 5768 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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, two bars and a canton gu. over all a bend sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Coupland Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Coupland arms are recorded
The Coupland 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 Coupland 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 Coupland Family in England
The surname Coupland is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place to identify a person’s home or origin. It is derived from the Old Norse words "kaup," meaning a market or trade, and "land," referring to a piece of territory. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name likely lived on or managed land associated with a trading post or a marketplace. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Coupland family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York served as a vital hub for northern commerce and administration, making it a logical place for a family with a name rooted in trade to settle and thrive. As the family grew, they integrated into the local community, contributing to the social and economic life of the city while maintaining the historical identity tied to their ancestral name.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kaup-land
Old Norse for trade or market and land or territory.
This name
CouplandRefers to a person who lived on or owned land associated with a marketplace.
also spelled
Copland
Cowpland
Related arms
Bergnesame arms
Copelandvariant spelling
Coplandvariant spelling
Cowplandvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
