Cooper
Cooper
Cooper – Clan History, Crest & Heritage
Gaelic Name
Cupar
Clan Motto
"Pro rege et patria" – “For King and country” – a bold expression of loyalty, duty, and national service.
Clan Crest Badge
A naked arm embowed brandishing a battle-axe Proper, symbolizing strength, readiness, and martial resolve.
Plant Badge
Unknown
Origins of the Name
The name Cooper has both occupational and territorial origins, making it one of the more widespread surnames found in Scotland, England, and across the English-speaking world. It is most commonly linked to the occupation of barrel-making—a cooper by trade.
However, in a Scottish context, the name may also derive from geographic locations, particularly from:
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Cupar in Fife, or
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Coupar Angus (now in Perth and Kinross), near the Abbey of Coupar in Angus
The earliest documented appearance of the name in Scotland is in a charter dated 1245, with a John Cupar of Berwickshire rendering homage to King Edward I of England in 1296, as recorded in the Ragman Rolls.
Historical Families and Records
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A notable Cooper family resided near Edinburgh during the 17th century. One member, John Cooper, was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia, though he died tragically in an explosion at Douglas Castle, during the infamous “Bishop’s Wars.”
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Other Cooper families were settled in regions such as:
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Banffshire
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Dumfriesshire
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Falkirk
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Ballindalloch
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West of Scotland
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In the 18th century, the spelling “Cooper” became more common than “Cupar,” reflecting the general shift toward English orthography.
Distinguished Individuals
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John Cooper of Gogar, who held lands near Edinburgh in the late 1600s
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Sir John Cooper, early baronet, involved in Scottish royalist causes
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William Cooper, remembered in a 1761 letter for being defined not by surname alone, but by “the name of the principal race”—a sign of distinction in local culture.
Additionally, a Couper tartan (variant spelling) has been attributed to descendants of Peter Macarthur of Hamilton, though it is now more commonly worn as a surname tartan than a formal clan affiliation.
Tartan and Identity
The Cooper (or Couper) tartan is relatively modern and does not signify a traditional Highland clan. However, it remains in circulation today as a family tartan, often adopted by those with the surname Cooper worldwide, reflecting Scottish ancestry and pride in heritage.
Conclusion
Though not a Highland clan in the strictest sense, Clan Cooper holds a valuable place in Scotland’s social and occupational history. From craftsmen and baronets to barrellers and warriors, the name has endured through centuries of Scottish and British history. Their motto, “Pro rege et patria”—“For King and country”—remains a testament to the honor, service, and strength that define the Cooper legacy.