Contents [hide]

Couch History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Couch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Couch

What does the name Couch mean?

The distinguished surname Couch emerged among the industrious people of Flanders, which was an important trading partner and political ally of Britain during the Middle Ages. As a result of the frequent commercial intercourse between the Flemish and English nations, many Flemish migrants settled in Britain. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. Occupational surnames were derived from the common trades of the medieval era. The surname Couch is an occupational name for a maker of couches or beds or an upholsterer. The surname is derived from the Old French word couch, which means couch. 1 Occupational names frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. These types of occupational surnames are called metonymic surnames.

Alternatively, the name could have been "a Cornish form of Cooch [Welsh coch, red]." 2

Early Origins of the Couch family

The surname Couch was first found in Oxfordshire where they held a family seat from early times. Couch's Mill is a small hamlet in Cornwall which has been spelt Couchs Mill, Couch's Mill and Couches Mill over the years.

However, we must look to Sussex to find the earliest record of the family. It is there that John le Cochere was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. Later the Corpus Christi Guild (Surtees Society) in Yorkshire had these interesting entries confirming the occupational etymology: William Cawoou, cowcher, Yorkshire, 1443; and Robert Bell, cowcher, Yorkshire, 1442. 3

In Cornwall, "the manor of Luxulian, which was in the family of Couch so early as the reign of James I. was sold to the Rashleigh family in the days of Charles I." 4

Early History of the Couch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Couch research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1270, 1273, 1295, 1544, 1563, 1758 and 1760 are included under the topic Early Couch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Couch Spelling Variations

Flemish surnames are characterized by a large number of spelling variations. One reason for this is that medieval English lacked definite spelling rules. The spellings of surnames were also influenced by the official court languages, which were French and Latin. Names were rarely spelled consistently in medieval times. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to specific spelling rules, and people often had their names registered in several different forms throughout their lives. One of the greatest reasons for change is the linguistic uniqueness of the Flemish settlers in England, who spoke a language closely related to Dutch. The pronunciation and spelling of Flemish names were often altered to suit the tastes of English-speaking people. In many cases, the first, final, or middle syllables of surnames were eliminated. The name has been spelled Couche, Couch, Cowch, Cowche, Cauch, Cawch, Cauche, Cawche, Coutche, Coutch, Coucher, Cowcher, Couchur and many more.

Early Notables of the Couch family

Prominent in the family at this time was

John Coucher was a bailiff of Worcester in the 16th century

Couch Ranking

In the United States, the name Couch is the 1,238^th most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Couch family to Ireland

Some of the Couch family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Couch migration to the United States +

Investigation of immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Couch:

Couch Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mathew Couch, who arrived in Virginia in 1636 6
John Couch, who landed in New England in 1652 6
Alexander Couch, who landed in Virginia in 1654 6
Ambrose Couch, who arrived in Maryland in 1662 6
Charles Couch, who landed in Virginia in 1666 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Couch Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Sarah Couch, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 6
Mr. Couch who settled in Louisiana in 1721
Joseph Couch, who arrived in New England in 1740 6
Elianore Couch, who landed in America in 1760
Arthur and Charles Couch, who settled in Maryland in 1774

Couch Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Couch, who landed in America in 1807 6
J P Couch, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 6
D. Couch settled in San Francisco, California in 1852
J Couch, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1858 6
George Couch, aged 26, who arrived in New York in 1864 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Couch Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Daniel Couch, (b. 1878), aged 25, Cornish labourer travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1903 en route to Homestead, Pennsylvania, USA 7
Mr. Charles Couch, (b. 1864), aged 40, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Germanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1904 en route to Red Jacket, Michigan, USA 7
Mrs. Eveline Couch, (b. 1863), aged 42, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, USA 7
Mr. Hamilton Couch, (b. 1901), aged 4, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, USA 7
Mr. James Couch, (b. 1865), aged 40, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, USA 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Couch migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Couch Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Couch, who settled in Placentia, Newfoundland in 1794 8

Couch migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Couch Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. William Couch, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 24th March 1787, sentenced for life for burglary, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" on 19th January 1790 to New South Wales, Australia 9

Couch Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Couch, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 6th January 1835, sentenced for 7 years for stealing tin from McInness Steam Works in St. Austell, transported aboard the ship "Royal Sovereign" on 25th July 1835 to New South Wales, Australia 10
William Highman Couch, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Waterloo" in 1840 11
Miss Mary Ann Couch, English convict who was convicted in Devon, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 16th November 1841, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
Thomas Couch, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Theresa" in 1847 13
Peter Couch, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Royal George" in 1848 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Couch migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Couch Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Couch, aged 23, a carpenter, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Sir Charles Forbes" in 1842
Jemima Couch, aged 19, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Sir Charles Forbes" in 1842
Mr. William Couch, (b. 1821), aged 38, Cornish farm labourer departing on 28th August 1859 aboard the ship "Roman Emperor" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 27th January 1860 15
Mr. William Couch, (b. 1821), aged 38, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Roman Emperor" arriving in Lyttlelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th January 1860 16
Tryphena Couch, (b. 1842), aged 21, Cornish settler departing on 18th June 1863 aboard the ship "Accrington" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 5th September 1863 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Couch (post 1700) +

Malcom Ollie "Mal" Couch Jr (b. 1938), American founder and president of the Tyndale Theological Seminary
Jason Couch (b. 1969), American professional bowler in the Professional Bowlers Association
Timothy Scott "Tim" Couch (b. 1977), former American college and professional NFL football quarterback
John Heard Couch (1811-1870), American sea captain, pioneer in the Oregon Country, Treasurer for the Provisional Government of Oregon (1846-1847)
Darius Nash Couch (1822-1897), American soldier, businessman, and naturalist, general officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War
Virgil Couch, American diplomat
John Couch, American botanist
E. A. Couch, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Alabama, 1964 17
Don Couch, American Republican politician, Candidate for Hawaii State Senate 5th District, 2002 17
Darius Nash Couch (1822-1897), American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Governor of Massachusetts, 1865; U.S. Collector of Customs, 1866-67 17
... (Another 20 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Couch family +

Monongah Mine

Mr. Rolph Couch (b. 1884), Italian coal miner who was in mine 6 at the Monongah Mine on 6th December 1907 when it exploded and collapsed; he died 18

RMS Titanic

Mr. Joseph Henry Couch (1862-1912), aged 45, English Greaser from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 19
Mr. Frank Couch (1884-1912), aged 28, English Able Seaman from Port Isaac, Cornwall who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 19

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) WATERLOO 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Waterloo.htm
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emma-eugenia
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) THERESA 1847. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1847Theresa.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ROYAL GEORGE 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848RoyalGeorge.htm
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Lyttelton 1858-84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 16) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Monongah Mining Disaster retrieved on 8th August 2021. (Retrieved fromhttps://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/monongah.htm).
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html