Heardop History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The origins of the Heardop name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in Hartop, a place which is no longer known. The place-name is derived from the Old English word har, which meant hoar or gray, and also meant boundary, and the Old Scandinavian word topt, which meant cottage or homestead. The name as a whole means "gray cottage," or "cottage in the gray lands," or perhaps "homestead on the border."

Early Origins of the Heardop family

The surname Heardop was first found in Leicestershire at Freeby, (formerly known as Freathby and Fredebi) a chapelry, in the parish and union of Melton-Mowbray, hundred of Framland. "The whole of the lordship belongs to Sir E. C. Hartopp, Bart. " 1

The Baronetcy of Hartopp of Freathby was created in 1619 for Edmund Hartopp (c. 1583-1652) , High Sheriff of Leicestershire 1618-1619. This baronetcy continued until Sir John Hartopp, 4th Baronet (1680-1762.)

Later in Leicestershire, the Cradock-Hartopp Baronetcy, of Freathby would be created in 1796 for Sir Edmund Cradock-Hartopp, 1st Baronet (1749-1833), High Sheriff of Leicestershire for 1781.

Early History of the Heardop family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Heardop research. Another 56 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1377, 1637 and 1722 are included under the topic Early Heardop History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Heardop 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 Heardop were recorded, including Hartopp, Hartop and others.

Early Notables of the Heardop family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir William Hartopp of Rotherby; and Job Hartop, an English adventurer, chief gunner on John Hawkins' third voyage to the Caribbean but became stranded and was captured by the Spanish. He was used...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Heardop Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Heardop 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 Heardop family emigrate to North America: John Hartopp who settled in Virginia in 1654; Edward Hartopp settled in Virginia in 1637; John Hartopp settled in Virginia in 1698.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.