Show ContentsHoppes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Hoppes comes from the son of Robert. 1 2

"Hob, patronymic Hobbs and Hobson. Naturally these surnames have left many descendants. Owing to its popularity Hob became the everyday term for a country clown." 3

Early Origins of the Hoppes family

The surname Hoppes was first found in Shropshire where the name first entry was as a forename as in Hobbe Litel, who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1176. A few years later, Hobb(e) (with no forename) was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Northumberland in 1198, the Pipe Rolls for Yorkshire and the Curia Regis Rolls for Worcester in 1205. These entries may be of the same person, but that is doubtful. Moving on, Osbert, Ralph Hobbe was found in the Pipe Rolls for Rutland in 1204, and again in the Pipe Rolls for Warwickshire in 1230. Isabella Hobbes was in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcester in 1327. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Agnes Hobbis, Huntingdonshire; and John Hobbe, Oxfordshire. 3

In Somerset, John Hobbes and William Hobbeson, were both listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign). 5

Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Willelmus Hobbes; Petrus Hobbeson; Willelmus Hobbeson; and Robertus Hobson. 3

Early History of the Hoppes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hoppes research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1198, 1529, 1532, 1538, 1569, 1588 and 1679 are included under the topic Early Hoppes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hoppes 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 Hoppes were recorded, including Hobbs, Hobs, Hobbes, Hobis, Hopp, Hoppe, Hopps and many more.

Early Notables of the Hoppes family

Distinguished members of the family include Robert Hobbes (d. 1538), the last abbot of the Cistercian abbey of Woburn in Bedfordshire, held the office in 1529. "Hobbes was summoned to convocation in November 1529, and in the following January received a license to hold two annual fairs in the town of Woburn. In 1532 he, with four other abbots, was commissioned by the king to hold a visitation of the whole Cistercian order, in place of the abbot of Chailly, who had been charged to undertake this duty by the head visitor and reformator of the order." 6Thomas Hobbs (also spelled...
Another 111 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hoppes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hoppes family

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 Hoppes family emigrate to North America: Thomas Hobbs settled in Virginia in 1635; Andrew Hobbs settled in Barbados in 1654; Isaac and Hugh Hobbs settled in Virginia in 1654; Sarah Hobbs settled in New England in 1746.



  1. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. 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.
  6. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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