The Culpeper family's documented English history spans over 500 years, from the late 12th century through the colonial period. Through extensive genealogical research and DNA analysis, we can trace our ancestral journey even further back—from prehistoric Africa to Ice Age Europe, and ultimately to medieval England where the Culpeper name first appears in historical records.
DNA testing through the National Geographic Genographic Project reveals that Henry Culpeper (progenitor of most American Culpeppers) and his descendants belong to haplogroup I1, characterized by the Y-chromosome markers: M168 > M89 > M170 > M253.[1]
The I1 Project at Family Tree DNA has identified that the Culpepper haplotype closely matches the Ultra-Norse Type 1 (Norway), suggesting that the Culpeppers who first appeared in 12th century England were likely Viking descendants. The Vikings raided and colonized wide areas of Europe from the late 8th to the 11th century.[1]
Our earliest common ancestor lived in northeast Africa, possibly in present-day Ethiopia, Kenya, or Tanzania. His descendants became the only lineage to survive outside of Africa, making him the common ancestor of every non-African man living today.[1]
Location: Rift Valley region | Climate: End of African drought, Sahara becoming habitable | Tools: Stone tools, earliest art
This marker is found in 90-95% of all non-Africans. Our ancestors followed expanding grasslands and game herds to the Middle East, part of the second great wave of migration out of Africa. When drought closed the Saharan Gateway around 40,000 years ago, they continued eastward along the Central Asian “superhighway” of grass-covered plains.[1]
Location: Northern Africa/Middle East | Climate: Semiarid grasslands | Tools: Stone, ivory, wood implements
Our ancestors migrated northwest into the Balkans and central Europe during the height of the Ice Age. They may have been responsible for the expansion of the Gravettian culture (21,000-28,000 years ago), known for distinctive stone hunting tools, “Venus” fertility figurines, shell jewelry, and mammoth-bone dwellings.[1]
Location: Southeastern Europe | Culture: Gravettian (Upper Paleolithic) | Innovation: Early weaving (25,000 years ago)
The distinctive genetic marker M253 appeared in a male ancestor who survived the last ice age in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain). As the Earth warmed around 15,000 years ago, these refugia dwellers left Spain and repopulated ice-free northern Europe, carrying this unique marker that defines haplogroup I1. Today this marker is found in high frequencies throughout northwest Europe.[1]
Location: Iberian Refugia (Spain) | Climate: Ice-free temperate zones | Era: Late Upper Paleolithic
The Ultra-Norse Type 1 haplotype match indicates that by medieval times, our direct ancestors were likely Norse seafarers who raided and colonized England. The Viking invasions and settlements of England (particularly the Danelaw region) would provide the pathway for Scandinavian families to establish themselves in Britain.[1]
Location: Scandinavia to England | Period: Late 8th to 11th century | Cultural impact: Danelaw settlements
While DNA evidence traces our ancestry back 60,000 years, the documented Culpeper family history begins in the late 12th century with written records from medieval England. The name “Colepeper” (later spelled various ways including Culpeper and Culpepper) first appears in court rolls and land deeds from Sussex and Kent.[2]
The earliest known Culpeper in documented records is Thomas de Colepeper, who served as a Recognitor of the Grand Assize. This was not a judicial position but rather a juror role—twelve recognitors were chosen to settle disputes over land ownership by declaring which party had better right to the property.[2]
Thomas had a son named John, and a grandson who bore his name, Sir Thomas Colepeper of Bayhall. This Sir Thomas would become a pivotal figure in the family's early history, though his life ended tragically during one of medieval England's great rebellions.[2]
In 1321-1322, England was torn by civil war. Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, led a rebellion against King Edward II. Sir Thomas Colepeper of Bayhall joined the Earl's cause, fighting at the Battle of Boroughbridge in March 1322. The rebellion failed catastrophically—the Earl was captured and executed, and many of his followers met similar fates.[2]
Sir Thomas Colepeper was captured and executed at Winchelsea in 1321 (some sources say 1322). His execution was part of King Edward II's brutal suppression of the rebellion. The Colepeper estates were seized by the Crown.[2]
Sir Thomas and his wife Margery (possibly of the Bayhall family) had four sons, each of whom faced the consequences of their father's rebellion:[2]
Executed at Winchelsea alongside his father in 1321 for supporting the Earl of Lancaster's rebellion.
Met perhaps the most dramatic fate of all four brothers. In October 1323, Queen Isabel (wife of Edward II) approached Leeds Castle in Kent, seeking entrance. Walter Colepeper, who held the castle, refused the Queen entry. This act of defiance enraged the King, who besieged the castle. After its capture, Walter was hanged for his impudence. This incident became known as the “Leeds Castle Affair.”[2]
Like his father and eldest brother, John fought at the Battle of Boroughbridge. He was captured and imprisoned. However, unlike his executed relatives, John survived. When King Edward III (son of Edward II) came to power, he released John from prison. John went on to continue the family line and eventually recovered some of the family estates.[2]
Also imprisoned following the rebellion but later released. Nicholas, like John, survived the political turmoil and helped restore the family's fortunes in subsequent years.[2]
After the executions, the family estates—including lands at Pepinbury, Bayhall, and Frant—were seized by the Crown. However, the estates were eventually returned to Margery, the widow of Sir Thomas, suggesting some measure of royal clemency or successful legal appeal. Through John and Nicholas, the surviving brothers, the Colepeper family would rebuild and eventually thrive.[2]
From these turbulent beginnings, the Colepeper family spread throughout southern England, establishing several major branches that would flourish for centuries. As noted in The Sussex Colepepers (1904-1905): “To write a history of the family of Colepeper in all its different branches would take up a good many volumes.”[2]
The principal branch, descended from the survivors of the Lancaster rebellion, maintained significant holdings in Sussex including estates at Wakehurst, Ardingly, and other properties. This line produced numerous knights, members of Parliament, and prominent landholders throughout the medieval and Tudor periods.[2]
Primary holdings: Sussex | Period: 14th-17th centuries
One of the most distinguished branches, the Wakehurst Colepepers held the manor of Wakehurst (now home to Kew Gardens' countryside estate) for many generations. This branch included several notable figures who served in Parliament and held important positions in county administration.[2]
Primary holdings: Wakehurst, Sussex | Period: 14th-17th centuries
This branch held estates at Wigsell in Sussex. Like other branches, they played important roles in local governance and maintained significant landholdings throughout the medieval period.[2]
Primary holdings: Wigsell, Sussex | Period: 14th-17th centuries
Several Colepeper branches established themselves in Kent, including families at Bedgebury, Folkington, Penton, Sevenoaks, and Oxen Hoath. The Leeds Castle incident of 1323 demonstrates the family's early presence in Kent. These branches intermarried with other prominent Kentish families and maintained their own distinct lineages.[2]
Primary holdings: Various Kent locations | Period: 14th-17th centuries
By the early 17th century, several Colepeper family members were positioned to play significant roles in England's colonial ventures. Members of the family appear in records related to the Virginia Company and the early colonization of America:[3]
Colepeper family members were among the adventurers and patentees listed in the Second Charter (1609) and Third Charter (1612) of the Virginia Company. These charters granted rights to colonize and govern Virginia, and being listed as a patentee indicated financial investment in the colonial venture.[3]
This documented involvement with the Virginia Company provides a crucial link between the medieval English Colepepers and the American Culpeppers who would arrive in Virginia by the mid-17th century.
Thomas Culpeper, 2nd Baron Culpeper of Thoresway, inherited the proprietorship of the Northern Neck of Virginia (between the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers) through his marriage to Margaret, daughter of Thomas Fairfax. This massive land grant, originally awarded to loyal supporters of King Charles II, represented approximately 5 million acres.[3]
While Henry Culpeper of Lower Norfolk County (progenitor of most American Culpeppers) arrived in Virginia before this land grant came into Culpeper hands, the Northern Neck Proprietorship demonstrates the family's continued prominence and connection to Virginia throughout the colonial period.[3]
By the 1650s, the stage was set for the Culpeper family's permanent establishment in America, as Henry Culpeper arrived in Virginia to begin a new chapter in the family's long history.
[1] DNA & Genetic History
“The Culpepper Ancestral Journey” — Culpepper Connections. Based on report from National Geographic Genographic Project (July 2007) for Warren Culpepper. Includes haplogroup I1 analysis, Y-chromosome markers (M168, M89, M170, M253), and Ultra-Norse Type 1 haplotype matching. Updated 02 Jan 2015.
DNA Project Overview — Culpepper Connections. Details on the Culpepper DNA testing program, haplogroup analysis, and Viking ancestry.
[2] Medieval English History
The Sussex Colepepers by Col. F. W. T. Attree, J.P., F.S.A. and Rev. J. H. L. Booker (1904-1905). Originally published in Sussex Archaeological Collections, Vol. 47 and 48. Available online at Culpepper Connections.
• Chapter II: “The First Four Generations” — Details on Thomas de Colepeper (Recognitor), Sir Thomas of Bayhall, the Earl of Lancaster rebellion (1321-1322), executions at Winchelsea, the Leeds Castle incident (1323), and the four sons. Cites Close Rolls, De Banco records, Harleian manuscripts, Inquisitions Post Mortem, and land deeds from the Public Record Office.
[3] Colonial Virginia Connections
“Proprietors of the Northern Neck” — Culpepper Connections. Documents Thomas Culpeper, 2nd Baron's inheritance of the Northern Neck Proprietorship through marriage to Margaret Fairfax. Covers the 5-million-acre land grant between the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers.
Virginia Company Charters (Second Charter 1609, Third Charter 1612) — Colepeper family members listed as adventurers and patentees in colonial ventures. Referenced in various historical documents on Culpepper Connections.
[4] Additional Resources
Culpepper Connections Main Site — Comprehensive family history website with extensive documentation, photographs, genealogical records, and research materials.