What might be the origin of the surname 'Corpse'?

[Mart 'n' Al]

I've just discovered that my 5x GGM was a Corpse, from Co Durham, (long before she actually died).

I'd be interested to hear any suggestions for the origin of the unfortunate name.  I don't have a current FindMyPast or Anc subscription.

Martin

[stanmapstone]

According to "The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames" Corp(e) is nickname for raven Old French (or ? Old Norse) and Corps '(son) of Corp.'
In the 1881 census there were 338 Corps and 22 Corpse.
Stan

This shows the distribution of Corpse in 1881

[Mart 'n' Al]

In French Corbeau is Raven, and Corneille is Crow, the family is Corvid, so it is possible, thanks Stan.  Any more ideas?

Martin

[Kiltpin]

Possibly a misreading of Copse, as in the geographical feature. It was an occupation at one time, the coppicing of trees.   

Regards 

Chas

[Mart 'n' Al]

I like that one better.  This is turning into 'Call My Bluff'.

Martin

[heywood]

If you search for the name, there are several references/explanations. Stan’s  explanation seems to be favoured.

[mrcakey]

Reminds me of an old neighbour of ours who worked on a maternity ward and says she was once confronted with a child named "Female" (pronounced fee-mah-lay), which somebody had chosen because they'd seen it written down somewhere and liked the (supposed) sound of it. Actually, writing that down, it does seem apocryphal!

[barryd]

Free BMD indicates a good beginning year 1837 then onwards for quite a lot of the Corpse name in (now) Greater London and Surrey. Whitby in Yorkshire is a popular place for Corpses.

[BushInn1746]

Corpse means body in our old English langauge.

In Old English and Anglo-Saxon bān and ban pre-fix of the word mainly linked to the body, main body areas, armour on the body and bone

bān-fæt †, bān-fatu, body or corpse

bān bone, bone of a limb

bāncofa the bodily frame

bana killer, slayer, murderer

bānhelm helmet

bānbeorge leg-armour

bānece in pain in the thigh

bānhūs body, chest, breast

† occurs in poetical texts only

Mark