A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cowper family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0702 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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'arg. à trois martinets de gu.; au chef engr. du même, ch. de trois annelets d'or. C.: une patte de lion d'or, en pal, les ongles en haut, tenant une branche feuillée de sin., fruitée de gu. S.: deux chevaux, au nat. D.: TUUM EST [En qualité de princes du St.-Empire, les comtes Cowper augmentent ces armes de lambrequins d'arg. et de gu. à dextre et d'or et de sa. à sen., d'un écusson d'arg. en abîme ch. d'un lion de sa., et d'un manteau de gu. frangé d'or, doublé d'herm., sommé de la couronne princière.]”
Francec. 1642
Where the Cowper Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Cowper arms are recorded
The Cowper arms were recorded in France, c. 1642.
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.
Louis XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1617–1643
Reigning in France when the Cowper arms are first recorded.
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 Cowper Family in France
The history of the Cowper family in France is deeply tied to the coastal region of Bretagne during the seventeenth century. While the name is often associated with English origins, records confirm that members of the family were established in this French province by 1642. During this era, Bretagne served as a vital hub for trade and maritime activity, which likely influenced the movement of families across the English Channel. Settling in such a distinct cultural landscape suggests that these early ancestors were likely involved in the regional economy or local administration. By integrating into the social fabric of Bretagne, the family maintained a presence that bridged the gap between their ancestral roots and their new life in France. This period of residency reflects the broader patterns of migration and family mobility that defined the coastal communities of western France during the early modern period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. on a bend engr. betw. two lions ramp. sa. three plates”
SurreySurrey, c. 1568
Where the Cowper Arms Were Recorded
Surrey
Map of England showing where the Cowper arms are recorded
The Cowper arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1568.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in France when the Cowper 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Cowper Family in England
The surname Cowper is an occupational name that originated in England during the Middle Ages. It was used to identify individuals who worked as coopers, which were skilled craftsmen responsible for making wooden barrels, buckets, and casks. Because these containers were essential for storing and transporting goods like ale, wine, and salted meat, a cooper was a vital member of any local community. By the time the name appears in Surrey records in 1568, the family had likely been established in the region for several generations. The spelling of the name often shifted between Cowper and Cooper depending on the literacy of the local clerk recording the information. Over time, families with this name spread across various English counties, often settling in market towns where their trade was in high demand.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cuparius
Latin term for a maker of casks or barrels.
This name
CowperAn occupational surname for a cooper or barrel maker.
also spelled
Couper
Cowpar
Kowper
Cooper
Related arms
Coopersame arms
Coupersame arms
Lampardsame arms
Couparvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E: Familles et seigneuries
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
