Show ContentsHopcraft History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hopcraft family

The surname Hopcraft was first found in Northumberland where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when Richard Hobcroft held estates in that county.

Early History of the Hopcraft family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hopcraft research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487 and 1603 are included under the topic Early Hopcraft History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hopcraft Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Hopcraft include Hobcroft, Hobraft, Hopcroft, Hopcraft, Habcroft and others.

Early Notables of the Hopcraft family

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hopcraft Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Hopcraft migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Hopcraft Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Hopcraft, an indentured servant, who settled in Antigua in 1729

New Zealand Hopcraft migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hopcraft Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Joseph Hopcraft, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Palmyra" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 19th February 1858 [1]
  • Mr. James Hopcraft, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Palmyra" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 19th February 1858 [1]

Contemporary Notables of the name Hopcraft (post 1700) +

  • Arthur Hopcraft (1932-2004), English scriptwriter, well known for his TV play The Nearly Man

HMAS Sydney II


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  2. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp


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