Origins of the Cooper surname
What does the name Cooper mean?
The Cooper surname has two prominent points of origin. Firstly and most commonly it is English (where it is the 35th most prevalent surname in the country) and derives from the occupation of a cooper (barrelmaker), as this was a common profession it arose seperately in many parts of the country. Secondly, the surname Cooper can be geographic and relate to those from the town of Cupar in Fife, Scotland, where it has been seen since the 1200s.
Alternative variations of the name Cooper
Cooper, Coupar, Couper, Cowper, Cupar
Start your family history journey
Start free trial
Start your family tree
Trace your family back in time. Make new discoveries and see what other Findmypast family historians in our genealogy community have discovered about the Coopers.
Sign up to get startedDelve deeper into the Cooper family's history
Common jobs for Coopers
Men and women often performed different types of jobs, so these are displayed by gender to maintain their historical accuracy.
Commmon female occupations for Coopers in 1921
Dressmaker
3,039
Laundress
1,911
Domestic Servant
1,779
General Servant Domestic
1,729
Cotton Weaver
1,406
Commmon male occupations for Coopers in 1921
Agricultural Labourer
3,596
Coal Miner
3,186
General Labourer
2,794
Farmer
2,031
Farm Labourer
1,997
Learn more about the lives of Cooper family members
Share your discoveries
Look for a different surname
Find out more about your family in our records