This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Schmetzer-Hartmann Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/3h.2ADE/840.862.1 Message Board Post: A Cooper is one who makes wood barrels with iron bands or staves around it to hold it together. I have a chest that my gg-grandfather made with these wonderful iron staves and lock on the front of it.