1 English: habitational name from Coppull in Lancashire, recorded in the 13th century as Cophill, from Old English copp âpeakâ + hyll âhillâ. 2  English: nickname from Old French curt peil âshort hairâ. 3  Probably an Americanized spelling of German and Jewish Koppel or German and Dutch Kappel. English: habitational name from Coppull in Lancashire, recorded in the 13th century as Cophill, from Old English copp âpeakâ + hyll âhillâ. 2  English: nickname from Old French curt peil âshort hairâ. 3  Probably an Americanized spelling of German and Jewish Koppel or German and Dutch Kappel.