A Fun, Fact-Filled Look at the Meaning and Origin of the Last Name Cooper
Cooper Name Meaning
The Cooper surname is an English occupational name, signifying “the cooper” – an artisan who crafted tubs, casks, vats, buckets, and barrels.
The profession of a cooper was of paramount importance during medieval times. In an era where all liquids were transported and stored in wooden containers, the craft of creating and repairing these containers was highly valued.
The name’s etymology can be traced back to the Old English word “coper,” which is believed to have been derived from the Cyprian word “cyprium,” meaning “bronze.” Another theory posits that the name could have originated from the Middle Dutch word “kuper,” translating to “tub” or “container.”
Cooper Last Name Variations
Virtually all surnames have developed phonetic and spelling variations over many centuries in many countries. A person’s last name was often spelled however it sounded to the person recording it.
The Cooper last name has diverse origins and variations worldwide. It has been Americanized from Ashkenazic Jewish surnames such as Kupper or Kupfer. In the Netherlands, it’s recognized as Cuyper, while in Flemish regions, it goes by Kupper.
When you’re researching your branch of the Cooper family tree, you may find that your ancestors used one or more of these variations of the Cooper surname: Copper, Coupar, Coupe, Couper, Coupir, Cuper, Cuyper, Cowper, Coper, Koper, Kooper, Kuiper, Kup, Kuper, Kupfer, Kupper.
Cooper Last Name Origin
The use of Cooper as a surname started in Europe during the Middle Ages. It was during this time that surnames became necessary for governments to effectively tax and govern their citizens, leading to the adoption of hereditary surnames.
Coopers in England
The earliest mention of the Cooper surname in England can be traced back to the Pipe Rolls of Surrey in 1176-7, where one Robert (le) Cupere is mentioned. Another early mention is found in the Pipe Rolls for Norfolk in 1181-2, which lists two individuals with the surname le Cuperes.
The Cooper surname is distributed across a vast expanse of England. However, it is notably absent or rare in the northern and south-western counties. The name seems to have three primary centers of concentration: one in the northern midlands, including Cheshire; another in Sussex and Hampshire; and a third in Suffolk. Counties especially notable for their Cooper populations include Cheshire, Derbyshire, Hampshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Sussex, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire.
Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. President, had Cooper ancestry! His lineage traces back to Johanna Cooper (also known as Cowper, a common variation of Cooper) from Bedfordshire, England, who married Robert Lincoln in 1524. This Robert Lincoln is a direct ancestor of the renowned leader. 🎩🇺🇸
Coopers in Scotland
The Cooper surname in Scotland has two primary origins.
The first origin is occupational, stemming from the role of a ‘cooper’—a craftsman skilled in making kegs, barrels, and similar containers.
The second origin is territorial, linked to Cupar, a burgh in Fife. This locational surname, sometimes spelled as Coupar, Couper, or Coupir, has been documented in the Fife region since the 13th century. The earliest mention is of a Selomone de Coupir, who witnessed a charter in 1245.
In Aberdeenshire, a region in the northeast, the Cooper surname is particularly prominent. For instance, a John Cupar was recorded as a landowner there in 1281.
Further south, near Berwick, Christian Cowper held lands in Ravenysden in 1275. Additionally, in 1296, Symon Coupare from Berwickshire demonstrated allegiance to Edward I of England.
While Austin Cooper is often remembered for his green thumb, there’s more to his legend than just plants. Known as “Austin the Settler,” it’s said that his unique way of settling disputes was by grabbing two quarreling individuals, pushing them together, and then plopping them onto a dunghill! Talk about hands-on conflict resolution! 🌱💪🐄
Cooper Surname Geography
The Cooper surname currently ranks as the 821st most common last name in the world and can be found in almost 200 countries. It’s estimated that over 645,000 people bear the last name Cooper.
There are about 364,000 people with the last name Cooper in the United States, where it is most prevalent. The distribution within the country shows the most Coopers in Texas (9%), California (8%), and Georgia (6%).
Outside the United States, about 19% of all Coopers live in England, while 7% reside in Australia. Cooper is the 8th most common surname in Liberia.
Cooper Earldom and Baronies
An earl is a noble title in the British peerage system, ranking below a duke and marquess and above a viscount and baron. It is derived from the Old English word “eorl,” meaning “a man of noble birth or rank.” Earls are addressed as “Lord” followed by the name of the earldom.
A baron or baroness is a noble or honorific status that is either inherited or bestowed. It refers to someone who is below a duke, marquess, earl, and viscount but above a lord and knight. “My Lord” or “Your Lordship” is used when directly addressing a baron. “My Lady” or “Your Ladyship” is used when directly addressing a baroness.
There has been one earldom and three baronies held by Coopers:
Earl of Shaftesbury in the Peerage of England: Established on April 23, 1672, this title was conferred upon Anthony Ashley-Cooper (1621-1683).
A key figure in the Cabal that influenced King Charles II’s policies, Anthony had previously inherited the title of second Baronet of Rockbourne from his father in 1631.
In 1661, he was created Baron Ashley, of Wimborne St Giles in the County of Dorset. Alongside his elevation to the earldom, he was also bestowed the title of Baron Cooper, of Paulett in the County of Somerset. Both the titles of Baron Ashley and Baron Cooper are recognized in the Peerage of England.
The band Alice Cooper chose their name because it sounded wholesome and safe, contrasting their on-stage antics. Interestingly, the band got its name from the TV show Mayberry RFD, which featured a character named Alice Cooper. 📺🎸
Baron Cooper of Culross, of Dunnet in the County of Caithness in the Peerage of the United Kingdom: Hailing from Scotland, Thomas Mackay Cooper (1892-1956) was a distinguished figure in the Scottish Unionist Party, serving both as a judge and a historian.
In 1935, Thomas was appointed both Solicitor General for Scotland and later, Lord Advocate. His contributions were further recognized when he was inducted into the Privy Council in 1935.
By 1941, Thomas ascended to the position of Lord Justice Clerk, adopting the judicial title of Lord Cooper. His career pinnacle was in 1947 when he became Lord Justice General and Lord President of the Court of Session.
In 1954, he was ennobled as Baron Cooper. The barony became extinct upon his death in 1956.
Cooper Viscountancy
A viscount or viscountess is a noble title in the British peerage system, ranking below an earl and above a baron. The title can be a hereditary peerage (the title can be passed down to an heir upon the death of the holder) or a life peerage (the title becomes extinct upon the death of the holder). When directly addressing a Viscount or a Viscountess, you would use “Lord” or “Lady,” respectively, followed by their surname. There has been one viscountancy held by a Cooper.
Credit: Robin S. Taylor.
Viscount Norwich, of Aldwick in the County of Sussex: Established in the Peerage of the United Kingdom on July 5, 1952, this title was conferred upon the Conservative politician, author, and former ambassador to France, Sir Duff Cooper (1890-1954).
The title was inherited by his son, John Julius Cooper (1929–2018), also known as John Julius Norwich, who gained recognition as a historian, travel writer, and television personality. As of 2021, the title is held by Jason Charles Duff Bede Cooper (b. 1959), the third viscount, who succeeded his father in 2018. There is no heir to this viscountcy.
On November 24, 1971, a man using the alias D. B. Cooper (or Dan Cooper) hijacked an airplane without being searched, as airline passengers weren’t checked before boarding back then. He carried a bomb onto a flight from Portland to Seattle, secured a $200,000 ransom, and daringly parachuted from the Boeing 727 over the Pacific Northwest. Despite hundreds of suspects over the years, Cooper’s true identity and whereabouts remain one of aviation’s greatest mysteries. 🕵️♂️🔐
Cooper Baronetcies
A baronet is someone who has received a baronetcy, a hereditary title, from the British Crown. They rank below barons but above knights, with the exception of the Knights of the Garter in England and The Order of the Thistle in Scotland. Baronets are addressed as “Sir (forename),” and their wives are addressed as “Lady (surname).”
Nine hereditary baronetcies have been established for individuals bearing the surname Cooper. These baronetcies include:
Cooper Baronetcy, of Rockbourne in the County of Southampton: Established on July 4, 1622, this title was bestowed upon Sir John Cooper (1597-1631) of Rockbourne. Following his demise, the title was passed on to his son, Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper, who later became the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury.
Cooper Baronetcy, of the City of Dublin: Recognized in the Baronetage of Ireland on October 3, 1758, this honor was granted to William Cooper (c. 1689-1761). However, the title ceased to exist following his passing in 1761.
Cooper Baronetcy, of Gadebridge in the County of Hertford: Established in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 31 August 31, 1821, this title was initially conferred upon the renowned surgeon and anatomist, Astley Cooper (1768-1841). In the event of a lack of male heirs, the title was set to pass to his nephew, Astley Paston Cooper, the third son of Reverend Samuel Lovick Cooper, Astley’s elder brother.
Astley Paston Cooper did indeed inherit the title as the second Baronet in 1841. The third and fourth Baronets adopted the surname of Paston-Cooper. The sixth Baronet reverted to the surname of Astley-Cooper, a tradition continued by the seventh Baronet, who, as of 2007, remains the current titleholder.
Did you know that in 1817, Astley Paston Cooper, a renowned British surgeon and anatomist, skillfully removed an infected sebaceous cyst from the head of none other than King George IV? By 1828, he had earned the prestigious title of sergeant surgeon to George IV! 🩺👑
Cooper Baronetcy, of Walcot in the County of Somerset: Instituted in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on February 19, 1828, this title was awarded to John Cooper (1765-1828), who represented Dartmouth in Parliament from 1825 to 1828. The title ceased after his passing in 1828.
Cooper Baronetcy, of Woollahra in New South Wales: Established in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on January 26, 1863, this title was bestowed upon Sir Daniel Cooper (1821-1902).
A prominent figure in the 19th century, Daniel was not only a politician and merchant in the Colony of New South Wales but also a philanthropist. He holds the distinction of serving as the first speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the colony and was an avid philatelist (a person that collects or studies postal stamps). His baronetcy of Woollahra stands as the second of four baronetcies granted to British expatriates in the Australian colonies.
Cooper Baronetcy, of Hursley Park in the Parish of Hursley in the County of Southampton: Established on 26 July 26, 1905 in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom, this title was granted to George Alexander Cooper (1856-1940). The lineage ended with the demise of the second Baronet in 1961.
Cooper Baronetcy, of Shenstone Court in the Parish of Shenstone in the County of Stafford: Recognized on December 20, 1905 in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom, this title was bestowed upon the agriculturist Richard Powell Cooper (1847-1913), an heir to the Cooper & Nephews sheep dip fortune.
Richard also held the position of High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1901. His progeny, the second Baronet, served as a representative for Walsall in the House of Commons.
Cooper Baronetcy, of Berrydown Court in the Parish of Overton in the County of Southampton: Established on October 19, 1920 in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom, this title was conferred upon Edward Ernest Cooper (1848-1922). The lineage ceased with his passing in 1922.
Cooper Baronetcy, of Singleton in the County of Sussex: Recognized on July 1, 1941 in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom, this honor was granted to the industrial magnate, D’Arcy Cooper (1882-1941). The title ended following his demise in December of the same year.
Elizabeth Priscilla Cooper Tyler (1816–1889) wasn’t just the daughter-in-law of President John Tyler; she also served as the official White House hostess and first lady from 1841 to 1844! Stepping in due to her mother-in-law, Letitia Christian Tyler’s illness, Priscilla took on the first lady’s responsibilities with grace. After Letitia’s passing in 1842, Priscilla effectively became the first lady, managing social events at the White House. 🏛️🌹
Coopers That Shaped History
Samuel Cooper: Surgical Pioneer
Samuel Cooper (1780-1848) was a renowned English surgeon and medical writer. His significant contribution to the medical field was his 1840 publication, First Lines of Theory and Practice of Surgery. This work was groundbreaking as it provided the first formal acknowledgement of advanced melanoma as untreatable. Samuel emphasized the importance of early removal of the disease, a stance that remains largely unchanged even after more than one and a half centuries.
In addition to his writings, Samuel served as a surgeon in the battle of Waterloo, became a member of the council of the College of Surgeons in 1827 and later served as its president in 1845. He also held the position of surgeon at University College Hospital and was a professor of surgery in the college. His dedication to the field earned him the title of Fellow of the Royal Society in 1846. Among his notable works are Cataract (1805), First lines of Surgery (1807), and the widely translated Surgical Dictionary (1809).
James Fenimore Cooper: American Novelist
James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) was an influential American writer of the 19th century, best known for his historical romances that depicted colonial and indigenous characters from the 17th to the 19th centuries. His early experiences in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a midshipman, greatly influenced his writings, particularly his understanding of sailing vessels.
James’s writing career was launched with the novel The Spy, set during the American Revolutionary War and published in 1821. However, he is most renowned for the Leatherstocking Tales, a series of five historical novels written between 1823 and 1841. These novels introduced the iconic American frontier scout, Natty Bumppo, and include the famous work The Last of the Mohicans, often considered James’s masterpiece. Throughout his career, he aimed to counter European prejudices and foster a unique American art and culture through his diverse range of social, political, and historical fiction and non-fiction works.
James Fenimore Cooper’s father, William Cooper (1754-1809), founded Cooperstown in upstate New York. This town is famously known as the birthplace of baseball ⚾🧢!
Peter Cooper: Designed and Built the First American Steam Locomotive
Peter Cooper (1791-1883) was a prominent American industrialist, inventor, and philanthropist. He is best known for designing and constructing the first American steam locomotive, the Tom Thumb, marking a major milestone in American transportation.
In addition to the Tom Thumb, Peter held patents for various products, including gelatin, and played a crucial role in establishing the first transatlantic telegraph cable. In the 1830s, he introduced the first steel rocking chair in America, demonstrating his wide-ranging inventive capabilities.
Peter also founded the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. This New York-based institution is renowned for its programs in architecture, engineering, and art, epitomizing Cooper’s dedication to promoting innovation and education across various disciplines.
Did you know that Peter Cooper ran for president in 1876 under the Greenback Party? He teamed up with Samuel Fenton Cary for the campaign, which cost over $25,000! Ultimately, Rutherford Birchard Hayes from the Republican Party clinched the win. 🇺🇸🎩
Chuck Cooper: First African-American Basketball Player Drafted in the NBA
Chuck Cooper (1926-1984) was a pioneering figure in the world of professional basketball. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Cooper’s basketball prowess was evident early on, leading him to play for Duquesne University where he set several records.
His most notable achievement came in 1950 when he became the first African-American to be drafted by a National Basketball Association (NBA) team, selected by the Boston Celtics. This monumental step broke racial barriers in the league, paving the way for future generations of Black players.
Chuck’s NBA career spanned six seasons, during which he played for teams including the Celtics, the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks, and the Fort Wayne Pistons. Beyond his on-court contributions, Chuck’s legacy was further cemented when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.
John Cooper: The Man Behind MINI Cooper
John Newton Cooper (1923-2000) was a pioneering figure in the world of auto racing. Born in Surbiton, Surrey, he co-founded the Cooper Car Company alongside his father, Charles Cooper. The duo’s revolutionary rear-engined chassis design significantly impacted the sport, influencing Formula One and the Indianapolis 500.
While John initially raced the cars they built, the growing demands of the company eventually limited his time on the track. However, the Cooper Formula One cars became iconic, driven by legendary racers like Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss, and Bruce McLaren. The team secured 16 Grand Prix wins, with back-to-back World Championships in 1959 and 1960.
Notably, John also played a pivotal role in the development of the British Motor Corporation Mini, affectionately known today as the MINI Cooper. This vehicle was not only a favorite among rally racers but also became a beloved choice for everyday drivers. Before his passing, John licensed the Cooper name to BMW for the high-performance versions of the cars, drawing inspiration from the original Mini.
Martin Cooper: Inventor of the Handheld Cell Phone
Martin Cooper (b. 1928) is an American engineer recognized as a trailblazer in the wireless communications sector. His professional legacy is deeply intertwined with Motorola, where he began his tenure in 1954.
At Motorola, Martin was instrumental in the development of the first cellular-like portable handheld police radio system for the Chicago police department in 1967. However, his most groundbreaking achievement came in 1973 when he made the first public call from a handheld portable cell phone. This pioneering invention, known as the DynaTAC 8000x, was a precursor to the modern cell phones we use today. Due to his monumental contributions, Cooper is often hailed as the “father of the handheld cell phone.”
Places Named Cooper in America
- Cooper, Alabama
- Cooper, California
- Cooper, Colorado
- Cooper, Idaho
- Cooper, Illinois
- Cooper, Iowa
- Cooper, Kentucky
- Cooper, Maine
- Cooper, Maryland
- Cooper, Michigan
- Cooper, Montana
- Cooper, New Jersey
- Cooper, New Mexico
- Cooper, North Carolina
- Cooper, Ohio
- Cooper, Oklahoma
- Cooper, South Carolina
- Cooper, Tennessee
- Cooper, Texas
- Cooper, Virginia
- Cooper, Virgin Islands
- Cooperstown, New York
Places Named Cooper Outside America
- Cooper, New South Wales, Australia
- Cooper, Alajuela, Costa Rica
- Cooper Town, Lofa County, Liberia
- Cooper, Bomi County, Liberia
- Cooper, Presidente Hayes, Paraguay
Cooper DNA Project
The Male Cooper DNA Group Project aims to distinguish various Cooper lineages and confirm established Cooper family histories. Leveraging its online presence, the project collects data on Cooper families worldwide and currently includes 833 members.
Cooper Ancestry Resources
- The general armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales: Comprising a registry of armorial bearings from the earliest to the present time. London: Harrison.
- “The Peerage – Index to Baronets.”
- “Baronetage.” Leigh Rayment’s Peerage Page.
- “The Cooper Family.” St. Peter’s Berkhamsted Friends, n.d., 24 Feb. 2016.
- “Sir Astley Paston Cooper.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, 4 Dec. 2010
- “Earl of Shaftesbury.” Polsri Mirror Wiki, n.d.
