This name is of English locational origin either from Church or Monks Coppenhall in Cheshire, or from Coppenhall in Staffordshire. Initially recorded as Copehale in the Domesday Book of 1086 for Cheshire, the distinction "Chirchecopenhal" and "Munkescopenhale" was made in the 1288 "County Court Rolls of Chester". The placename derives from the old English pre 7th Century personal name Coppa from "copp" meaning "top", plus "halh" translating variously as a corner, recess or secret place; hence, "Coppa's halh". Coppenhall in Stafforshire, also recorded as Copehale in the Domesday Book, shares the same meaning and derivation. On March 3rd 1698 Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Hester Copenhall, was christened in Wolstanton, Stafforsdahire, and on June 17th 1725, Richard Copennall, an infant, was christened in St. Dunstan's, Stepney, London. The marriage of Mary Coppenhall and John Wicherley took place in Middlewich, Cheshire on March 2nd 1829. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Johannes Copnall, (christening), which was dated July 1558, Ashley, Staffordshire, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. 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.

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