The Roper Name
Over the years, family names have often changed and mutated. The surname 'Roper' is no exception and has been written in a variety of ways throughout the centuries. A simple explanation would be that Roper was applied to people that made ropes where the base material was from the rape plant. Consequently Raper was changed to Roper. Alternative evidence shows a line of mutation from 'Musard' (probably of Norman descent) to Rubra Spatha, Rospear, Rouspee, Ropere, Roeper, Rooper and finally Roper. Today, some modern Roper lines have opted to use the surname Roeper or Rooper.
In the 14th century, the most famous 'Teynham, Kent' Roper family was in jeopardy: John Roper had just a single daughter 'Isolda', and no related Roper males were available to continue the title. This was solved when Isolda married 'Richard Fourneaux'. He declared a covenant stating: "Any issue will forsake its paternal name and assume that of 'Roper' and descend the Barons Teynham", thus retaining the Roper name and title.
Succeeding generations of this Roper/Rooper family prospered and members were assigned and rewarded with considerable roles of influence within the nation. In 1603, John Roper was knighted, and then in 1616, he was advanced to the dignity of 'Baron of the Realm' by the title of 'Lord Teynham', which continues to this day.
We know about our immediate Roper family back to the early 1800s. Here we find a farming family owning land in 'West Dorset, England'. Records indicate there could be a distant link to the 'Teynham, Kent' Ropers. A 'Y-DNA profile' is needed to verify this link.
Bibliography:
In the 14th century, the most famous 'Teynham, Kent' Roper family was in jeopardy: John Roper had just a single daughter 'Isolda', and no related Roper males were available to continue the title. This was solved when Isolda married 'Richard Fourneaux'. He declared a covenant stating: "Any issue will forsake its paternal name and assume that of 'Roper' and descend the Barons Teynham", thus retaining the Roper name and title.
Succeeding generations of this Roper/Rooper family prospered and members were assigned and rewarded with considerable roles of influence within the nation. In 1603, John Roper was knighted, and then in 1616, he was advanced to the dignity of 'Baron of the Realm' by the title of 'Lord Teynham', which continues to this day.
We know about our immediate Roper family back to the early 1800s. Here we find a farming family owning land in 'West Dorset, England'. Records indicate there could be a distant link to the 'Teynham, Kent' Ropers. A 'Y-DNA profile' is needed to verify this link.
Bibliography:
- The Roper Family (1960, The Research Publishing Company, London - reproduced from an old book).
- The Ropers of Sterling and Rutland, by Ella E. Roper, 1904.
- Genealogist Professor Leon David Roper - Reference Data and Y-DNA profiling.
- Family Tree DNA. Family documents and recollections.
Copyright (c) Steve Roper 2010