Cooper is either an occupational name or a locational name, so the person with this surname could have had ancestors that were barrel makers, or came from Cupar in Fife, or the ancient settlement around the Abbey of Coupar in Angus. Clan MacDuff have it listed as one of their septs. This would apply to the Coopers around the Fife, Lothian, Strathbran, and Strathbogie areas (MacDuff land). Although the Clan does accept anyone with this name wearing the MacDuff tartan and using the Clan Crest.

Name variations include: Coopper, Cooperman, Copper, Coupar, Cowper and Cupper.