Other meanings of Capers
Onomastics
The surname and given name Capers has roots in English and Scottish history, often derived from the Old French capier or the Latin caper (goat), and is associated with several notable families in the American South. As a given name, it is rare but has been used in the United States, particularly among African American communities, with notable bearers in sports and the arts.
The surname Capers is of Anglo-Norman origin, introduced to Britain after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It derives from the Old French capier, meaning 'one who catches goats' or 'a goat-herd', ultimately from Latin caper (he-goat). In Scotland, the name may also be a variant of Caipre or MacCaper, though such forms are rare. The name appears in English records from the 13th century, with early bearers in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
In the United States, the Capers family is prominent in South Carolina history. Ellison Capers (1837–1908) was a Confederate general and later Episcopal bishop of South Carolina.1 Walter Capers (1875–1945) was a South Carolina state senator and advocate for public health. In sports, Derrick Capers played in the National Football League in the 1980s. As a given name, Capers Funnye (born 1952) is a prominent rabbi in Chicago, known for his work in the African American Jewish community.2
In the United States, the surname Capers is most concentrated in the Southeast, particularly South Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi, reflecting the historical settlement of the Capers family in the Lowcountry. According to census data, the name is relatively uncommon, ranking outside the top 20,000 surnames. In the United Kingdom, the name is rare, with most bearers found in Yorkshire and London. The name has also spread to Canada and Australia through emigration.3
The name Capers appears in the Dictionary of American Family Names as a variant of Caper, and it is sometimes confused with the edible caper bud, but the surname has no etymological connection to the plant. In the 19th century, the name was occasionally used as a given name for girls, though this usage has declined. A notable edge case is Capers Jones (1938–2021), a software engineering researcher who popularized function point analysis, and whose given name was a family surname.
This article focuses on the name 'Capers' as a surname and given name, not the edible plant.
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