The origins of the Caperton name have been shrouded in mystery since the early days of the Caperton Genealogy. Various people have explored these origins with mixed results. Here are summaries of some of this research. If you would like to add information here, please contact me at
August 2012
Over the years, more than a few of us Capertons have wondered if we were somehow related to the modest numbers of Clappertons found, even today, in Scotland. There is actually a fairly strong circumstantial case to be made for this connection. First, family lore seems to point to some type of Scottish roots, and, is there a Caperton alive today that has not had their name misspelled or mispronounced on at least a monthly basis? It does not seem to be much of a stretch to connect the two surnames. Enter DNA testing and an extremely tenacious Caperton cousin!
by Bernard M. Caperton
Much speculation has been advanced about the European antecedent of John Caperton. I have done no original research on this matter, but feel that I must pass on to the family the information discovered by others that has recently come to my attention. Adm. Wm. B. Caperton (E-8531), and Woods A. Caperton (F-71511) of Indianapolis did some research in England and Scotland, and reported their findings to Katherine Phelps Caperton (0-743) from whom I
by Robert Canterbury
The Following summarizes a series of eMails written by Robert Canterbury on his research of the origins of the Caperton Name. Robert's connection to Caperton is thru Alice Caperton, his g-mother. She was daughter of Hugh Thompson Caperton, s/o John S., s/o Captain 'New River' Hugh Caperton.
by Donald L. Caperton
In his discourse on the Caperton Origins, Robert Canterbury writes of a Capitan family in Kilmorack Parish, Inverness, Scotland. The links below will open specific pages of the Kilmorack Parish Register which refers to the names of which Mr. Canterbury writes.
By Troy Kent Caperton - 15 May, 2004, Austin, Texas
To the speculations of the last 88 years, I would like to add my own theories and speculations. There is nothing in my findings and theories that conflict with other ideas and I will attempt to reconcile my ideas with the research that has gone on before.
Oren F. Morton, 1916, p. 322-324
The Caperton's are derived from a French ancestor who went from the south of France to the British Isles. The progenitor of the Monroe connection was John who crossed the Atlantic about 1725 and at length found his way from Philadelphia to the Valley of Virginia. His wife was Mary Thompson, whom he met on the ship that conveyed him to America. In 1759 we find mention on Christian Creek of John Caperton, a yeoman, whose wife was Mary.
Read more: Caperton A History of Monroe County West Virginia