NameCensus.

UK surname

Copland

A surname derived from a place name meaning 'at the coppice' or 'near the small wood'.

In the 1881 census there were 1,675 people recorded with the Copland surname, ranking it #2,561 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,983, ranked #3,245, down from #2,561 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Mainland, Crieff South and Annandale West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Copland is 2,026 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18.4%.

1881 census count

1,675

Ranked #2,561

Modern count

1,983

2016, ranked #3,245

Peak year

2010

2,026 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Copland had 1,675 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,561 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,983 in 2016, ranked #3,245.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,990 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Copland surname distribution map

The map shows where the Copland surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Copland surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Copland over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 1,526 #1,875
1861 historical 1,418 #2,005
1881 historical 1,675 #2,561
1891 historical 1,880 #2,449
1901 historical 1,990 #2,670
1911 historical 728 #5,882
1997 modern 1,912 #3,156
1998 modern 1,954 #3,212
1999 modern 1,969 #3,217
2000 modern 1,954 #3,225
2001 modern 1,901 #3,239
2002 modern 1,908 #3,302
2003 modern 1,915 #3,219
2004 modern 1,937 #3,198
2005 modern 1,933 #3,172
2006 modern 1,943 #3,172
2007 modern 1,945 #3,196
2008 modern 1,955 #3,196
2009 modern 2,006 #3,204
2010 modern 2,026 #3,242
2011 modern 1,995 #3,239
2012 modern 1,953 #3,245
2013 modern 1,970 #3,289
2014 modern 1,996 #3,263
2015 modern 1,969 #3,276
2016 modern 1,983 #3,245

Geography

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Where Coplands are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Mainland, Crieff South, Annandale West, Moffat and North Mainland. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 3
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Mainland Orkney Islands
2 Crieff South Perth and Kinross
3 Annandale West Dumfries and Galloway
4 Moffat Dumfries and Galloway
5 North Mainland Shetland Islands

Forenames

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First names often paired with Copland

These lists show first names that appear often with the Copland surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Copland

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Copland, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Copland surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Copland household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Copland is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Copland is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Copland falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Copland is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Copland, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Copland

The surname Copland originated in Scotland, deriving from the Old English words 'copp' meaning the top or summit, and 'land' meaning land or territory. It likely referred to someone who lived on or near a hilltop or elevated land.

The earliest recorded spelling of the name dates back to around 1250, with the variant 'Coppland' appearing in the Minister's Accounts of the Abbey of Dunfermline in Fife, Scotland. Other early spellings include 'Copeland,' 'Coplande,' and 'Copplande.'

In the Domesday Book of 1086, a record of landholders in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are several entries for individuals with the name 'Coplant' or similar variations. This suggests the name may have had Anglo-Norman origins before becoming more common in Scotland.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname was John Copland, a Scottish soldier and knight who lived in the late 14th century. He fought alongside Robert the Bruce in the Scottish Wars of Independence and was appointed Lord of Calderwood in Lanarkshire.

Another notable bearer of the name was Patrick Copland, a Scottish historian and priest who lived from around 1505 to 1571. He wrote a chronicle of the reigns of Scottish monarchs from David I to James III, providing valuable insights into medieval Scottish history.

In the realm of literature, the English poet and dramatist Michael Copland flourished in the 16th century, publishing works such as the morality play "The Hye Way to the Spytell Hous" and translations of various Latin texts.

Robert Copland, a 16th-century English printer and writer, is also noteworthy for publishing several notable works, including the first printed edition of "The Nut Brown Maid" and other popular medieval ballads and romances.

In more recent times, Aaron Copland (1900-1990) was a renowned American composer known for his distinctly American-sounding compositions, such as the ballets "Appalachian Spring" and "Rodeo," as well as his orchestral works like "Fanfare for the Common Man."

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Copland families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Copland surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Aberdeenshire leads with 376 Coplands recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.82x.

County Total Index
Aberdeenshire 376 24.82x
Lanarkshire 177 3.35x
Kirkcudbrightshire 116 48.98x
Middlesex 90 0.55x
Lancashire 85 0.44x
Norfolk 82 3.26x
Orkney 72 40.01x
Dumfriesshire 64 17.71x
Midlothian 64 2.92x
Essex 53 1.64x
Yorkshire 47 0.29x
Ayrshire 44 3.59x
Durham 39 0.80x
Surrey 39 0.49x
Renfrewshire 27 2.13x
Banffshire 24 7.07x
Kent 24 0.43x
East Lothian 21 9.69x
Staffordshire 21 0.38x
Kincardineshire 20 10.04x
Northumberland 20 0.82x
Wigtownshire 20 9.21x
Warwickshire 15 0.36x
Angus 14 0.92x
Cheshire 13 0.36x
Stirlingshire 13 2.15x
Nottinghamshire 10 0.45x
Fife 8 0.83x
Lincolnshire 8 0.31x
Morayshire 7 2.75x
Ross-shire 7 1.56x
Nairnshire 6 12.02x
Somerset 6 0.23x
Shetland 5 2.99x
Westmorland 5 1.39x
Cumberland 4 0.28x
Sussex 4 0.15x
Derbyshire 3 0.12x
Hampshire 3 0.09x
Huntingdonshire 2 0.62x
Northamptonshire 2 0.13x
Perthshire 2 0.27x
Royal Navy 2 1.03x
Suffolk 2 0.10x
Argyllshire 1 0.22x
Bedfordshire 1 0.12x
Caithness 1 0.45x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.10x
Devon 1 0.03x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.23x
Gloucestershire 1 0.03x
Inverness-shire 1 0.20x
Isle of Man 1 0.33x
Leicestershire 1 0.06x
Roxburghshire 1 0.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aberdeen Old Machar in Aberdeenshire leads with 93 Coplands recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.40x.

Place Total Index
Aberdeen Old Machar 93 29.40x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 56 19.76x
Govan 37 2.83x
Glasgow 36 3.83x
Peterhead 35 43.69x
Leochel Cushnie 28 409.96x
Barony 25 1.87x
Lambeth 24 1.68x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 23 2.61x
Kirkwall St Ola 23 85.31x
Kirkdale 22 6.74x
Urr 21 68.18x
Prestonpans 20 137.65x
Chelmsford 17 30.69x
Gateshead 17 4.67x
Stromness 17 125.93x
Huntly 16 64.91x
Islington London 16 1.01x
Troqueer 16 51.50x
Kilmarnock 14 9.61x
Banchory Devenick 13 69.85x
Lonmay 13 94.55x
Bishopwearmouth 12 2.87x
Eccleston In Prescot 12 12.31x
Falkirk 12 8.50x
Holm 12 199.01x
St Marylebone London 12 1.37x
Tarland 12 182.65x
Carlaverock 11 186.44x
Dalkeith 11 25.44x
Lesmahagow 11 19.66x
Letton 11 1718.75x
Rathven 11 17.26x
Ayr 10 17.31x
Gorbals 10 31.85x
Kelton 10 51.41x
Kincardine O Neil 10 92.42x
Lewisham 10 3.36x
Maryhill 10 9.66x
Newcastle On Tyne St 10 7.93x
Rerrick 10 98.43x
Tongland 10 215.52x
Alford 9 109.09x
Chelsea London 9 1.83x
Cluny 9 123.46x
East Greenock 9 7.52x
Old Luce 9 65.65x
Peterculter 9 84.19x
Whithorn 9 54.38x
Anwoth 8 196.08x
Bolehall Glascote 8 45.77x
Chigwell 8 26.25x
Dryfesdale 8 48.05x
Horton In Bradford 8 3.16x
Kensington London 8 0.88x
Kirkbean 8 175.44x
Minster In Sheppey 8 8.65x
Radford 8 7.14x
Sandwick 8 118.52x
South Leith 8 3.24x
Biddulph 7 22.46x
Birkenhead 7 2.43x
Coull 7 157.30x
Dunfermline 7 4.70x
Durrisdeer 7 112.90x
Eastwood 7 8.97x
Fulham London 7 2.95x
Hamilton 7 4.74x
Kirkcudbright 7 35.71x
Sculcoates 7 2.72x
St Mungo 7 188.17x
Bellie 6 52.26x
Chapel Of Garioch 6 55.66x
Keig 6 137.93x
Old Monkland 6 2.86x
Shettleston 6 12.67x
Stonehouse 6 33.43x
Terrington St Clement 6 52.82x
West Ham 6 0.84x
Westray Papa Westray 6 42.05x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Copland surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 45
Elizabeth 17
Jane 14
Agnes 11
Ellen 11
Hannah 11
Sarah 11
Annie 9
Louisa 8
Alice 7
Margaret 7
Ann 6
Caroline 6
Eliza 6
Martha 6
Helen 5
Anne 4
Emily 4
Laura 4
Catherine 3
Charlotte 3
Fanny 3
Frances 3
Harriet 3
Isabella 3
Jessie 3
Lydia 3
Maria 3
Nellie 3
Ruth 3
Florence 2
Georgina 2
Harriett 2
Mabel 2
Margt. 2
Minnie 2
Rachel 2
Rosalie 2
Rose 2
Susan 2
Susannah 2
Beatrice 1
Bessie 1
Boxey 1
Deborah 1
E. 1
Edith 1
Eliz. 1
Elizbeth 1
Unice 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Copland surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 39
John 29
George 19
James 19
Charles 18
Thomas 12
Robert 10
Edward 8
Alexander 7
Henry 7
Alfred 6
Walter 6
David 5
Richard 5
Albert 4
Ernest 4
Francis 4
Harry 4
Samuel 3
Wm. 3
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
Frederick 2
Joseph 2
Oswald 2
Patrick 2
Sidney 2
Will. 2
Adam 1
Alex. 1
Athol 1
Aurther 1
Basil 1
Bertram 1
E. 1
Eli 1
Elijah 1
Emilie 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fred. 1
J.A. 1
Jim 1
Johnstone 1
Joshua 1
Lazarus 1
M. 1
Matthew 1
Maurice 1
Wolfe 1

FAQ

Copland surname: questions and answers

How common was the Copland surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,675 people were recorded with the Copland surname. That placed it at #2,561 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Copland surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,983 in 2016. That gives Copland a modern rank of #3,245.

What does the Copland surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name meaning 'at the coppice' or 'near the small wood'.

What does the Copland map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Copland bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.