Coppens

There are two possible meanings for this surname. As a baptismal name, it is derived from "the son of Copin", which is an early French equivalent of the Italian "Coppo", the nickname of Jacob, inself coming from the Hebrew "aqob" meaning "supplanter". The second derivation is topographic and indicates "one who lives on the top of a hill", from the Olde English pre 7th Century "copp", summit. The name development has included William Copyn of Worcester (1275), Robert Coppin, Recotor of Hethel, Norfolk in 1468, whilst John Coppin of Bury St. Edmunds was executed in 1583 for proclaiming Queen Elizabeth 1 to be an Idolater and Perjurer. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Nicholas Coping. which was dated 1243, Witness at the Somerset Assize Court. during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman" 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.