Show ContentsHopgoyd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Hopgoyd surname lived in the settlement of Hopwood in the county of Lancashire. The surname Hopgoyd belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names.

Early Origins of the Hopgoyd family

The surname Hopgoyd was first found in Lancashire at Hopwood, a township, in the parish of Middleton, union of Bury, hundred of Salford. "A family of the local name was seated here for many centuries, probably from Saxon times. "

"In 1359, Adam de Hopwood was one of the inquisition at Preston held before Thomas de Seton and others, justices, to determine a dispute between Henry, Duke of Lancaster, and Roger de la Warre. "

"On the death of Dr. Robert Hopwood, in the early part of the eighteenth century, when the family became extinct, the estates passed to the Gregges, who assumed the additional name of Hopwood. Hopwood Hall is an old-fashioned house, pleasing in aspect and agreeable in situation, with tolerably extensive pleasure-grounds, tastefully laid out." 1

William de Hopwood, de Hopwode was listed in Cheshire in the 13th century and in the Assize Rolls for Lancashire in 1298. 2

Early History of the Hopgoyd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hopgoyd research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1298, 1379, 1587, 1615, 1752, 1813, 1818 and 1819 are included under the topic Early Hopgoyd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hopgoyd Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Hopgoyd are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Hopgoyd include: Hopwood, Hopwoods, Hipwood, Hapwood, Hobwoods and many more.

Early Notables of the Hopgoyd family

Notables of this surname at this time include: James Hopwood (1752?-1819), English engraver, born at Beverley in Yorkshire about 1752, who took to engraving at the age of forty-five, as a means of supporting a family of six children. "By industry he succeeded in engraving and publishing two plates, on the strength of which he came to...
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hopgoyd Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hopgoyd family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Hopgoyd or a variant listed above: Edward Hopwood was one of the founders of Salem Massachusetts in 1630; Joe Hopwood settled in Barbados in 1635; Mathew Hopwood settled in Virginia in 1663..



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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