Chopp History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Chopp is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a person noted for enjoying strong drink. The surname Chopp is derived from the Old French word chopine, which was an old medieval measure of liquid; referred to as "the Parisien halfe pint", it was nearly as large as an English pint. In modern times, the Old French word chopiner means to tipple. The surname Chopp may also be a patronymic name derived from the personal name Chopin.

Early Origins of the Chopp family

The surname Chopp was first found in Devon, but we must look to Somerset to find the first recording of the family; for it is there that researchers found John Chopyn was listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 1

The Curia Regis Rolls for Devon in 1219 included an entry for Walter Chopin and later the Assize Rolls for Somerset recorded Henry Choppin in 1280. 2

Early History of the Chopp family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chopp research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1219, 1280, 1327, 1377, 1596, 1597, 1606, 1685, 1781 and 1789 are included under the topic Early Chopp History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chopp Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Chopp were recorded, including Chopping, Choppin, Chopyn, Chopin, Choppen, Chappington and many more.

Early Notables of the Chopp family

Notables of the family at this time include John Chappington or Chapington (d. 1606), English organ-builder, born at South Molton, Devonshire. "He seems to have built an organ for Westminster Abbey about 1596, when an entry in the churchwardens' accounts of St. Margaret's, Westminster, records that he was paid 13l. 13s. 4d. for the organs of the college...
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chopp Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chopp family to Ireland

Some of the Chopp family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chopp migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Chopp family emigrate to North America:

Chopp Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Miguel Chopp, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1860 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Chopp (post 1700) +

Rebecca S. Chopp, American academic, current President of Swarthmore College, Philadelphia
Frank Chopp (1953-1995), American politician, Democratic member of the Washington House of Representatives (1995)

Citations +

Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)