Hoptomb History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

When the ancestors of the Hoptomb family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Hopton, Shropshire. The name is derived from the Old English words "hop" + "tun" and literally means "farmstead in a small enclosed valley or enclosed plot of land." 1 There are numerous entries in the Domesday Book with various spellings: Hotune, Hopetuna, Opetune, and Hoptone. 2

Early Origins of the Hoptomb family

The surname Hoptomb was first found in Suffolk where Thomas de Hopeton was found in the Pipe Rolls of 1196. In Yorkshire, Robert de Hopton was listed in 1250 and much later, William Hopton was found in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1478. 3

As previously mentioned, some claim descent from Shropshire where Hopton Castle, Hopton Heath and Hopton Wafers are found. Hopton Castle built by one of the Hopton family, is located in the village of the same name and dates back to at least the 12th century as a motte and bailey.

The last Walter Hopton died during the Wars of the Roses and the castle passed by marriage to the Corbet family of Moreton Corbet castle. The Battle of Hopton Heath took place during the First English Civil War (1642-1646), on Sunday 19 March 1643 between Parliamentarian forces led by Sir John Gell, 1st Baronet and Sir William Brereton and a Royalist force.

Hopton is also located in Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk and Upper Hopton is found in West Yorkshire. Hopton-on-Sea is a village, civil parish in Norfolk. Some of the family were found at Armley in the West Riding of Yorkshire at one time. "Armley House is a noble mansion of the Ionic order, situated in an extensive and richly-wooded park. The old Hall, anciently the residence of the Hoptons, lords of the manor, is now a farmhouse." 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included Osbert de Hopeton, Suffolk, Nicholas Hopetun, Cambridgeshire, and Ricardus de Hopetone, Norfolk. 5

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes de Hopton, Willelmus de Hopton, and Adam de Hopton. 5

Early History of the Hoptomb family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hoptomb research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1472, 1492, 1504, 1510, 1519, 1553, 1555, 1558, 1559, 1564, 1570, 1571, 1590, 1595, 1596, 1600, 1602, 1604, 1611, 1621, 1622, 1627, 1628, 1629, 1638, 1640, 1642, 1652, 1709, 1787 and 1790 are included under the topic Early Hoptomb History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hoptomb Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Hoptomb has been recorded under many different variations, including Hopton, Hobton, Hoptone and others.

Early Notables of the Hoptomb family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was David Hopton (died 1492), Canon of Windsor from 1472 to 1492; Sir Ralph Hopton (1510-1571), of Witham, Somerset, an English politician, Member of Parliament for Somerset (1553 and 1555) and for Heytesbury in 1559; John Hopton (d. 1558), Bishop of Norwich; Ralph Hopton, 1st Baron Hopton (1596-1652), a Royalist commander in the English Civil War, Member of Parliament for Shaftesbury (1621-1622), Member...
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hoptomb Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hoptomb family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Hoptombs were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Charles Hopton who settled in Barbados in 1687; another Charles Hopton settled in North Carolina in 1701; George Hopton settled in Maryland in 1679; Walven Hopton settled in Virginia in 1654..

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)