Hopkirk History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

The Scottish name Hopkirk is a habitational name derived from a place called Hopekirk near Hawick in Roxburghshire. 1

Early Origins of the Hopkirk family

The surname Hopkirk was first found in Roxburghshire at Hobkirk or Hoepkirk, a parish in the district of Jedburgh.

"On Bonchester Hill are considerable remains of ancient fortifications, of which some are square, and others of circular form, intersected also by lines of more modern construction. This hill, which is admirably adapted for the site of a camp, is supposed to have derived its name from its having been occupied by the Romans for that purpose. Querns, arrow heads, and various other relics of antiquity have been found here. On Rubberslaw and other heights are also traces of camps; and ashes and human bones, and urns, have been frequently discovered. Two cairns were lately removed, which are thought to have been raised over the remains of warriors slain in some battle that occurred near the spot. Mary, Queen of Scots, passed through this parish on her route from Jedburgh to Hermitage Castle, and, near its extremity, was obstructed by a bog, which has been ever since called the 'Queen's Mire.' " 2

Early History of the Hopkirk family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hopkirk research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1574, 1679, 1689, 1690 and 1726 are included under the topic Early Hopkirk History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hopkirk Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Hobkirk, Habkirk, Hapkirk, Hopkirk and others.

Early Notables of the Hopkirk family

More information is included under the topic Early Hopkirk Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hopkirk 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:

Hopkirk Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Alex Hopkirk, aged 48, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Edward P Bouverie" in 1873 3
William Hopkirk, aged 16, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Edward P Bouverie" in 1873 3
Joseph Hopkirk, aged 14, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Edward P Bouverie" in 1873 3
Alex Hopkirk, aged 12, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Edward P Bouverie" in 1873 3
Robert Hopkirk, aged 10, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Edward P Bouverie" in 1873 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Hopkirk (post 1700) +

David Hopkirk (b. 1993), Scottish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Stenhousemuir
Thomas Hopkirk (1790-1851), Scottish botanist, born at Dalbeath, near Glasgow, about 1790, elected fellow of the Linnean Society in November 1812 4
Patrick Barron Hopkirk MBE (1933-2022), British rally driver from Northern Ireland, IAM RoadSmart Mature Drivers Ambassador in 2016
Hubert Gordon Hopkirk (1884-1966), British actor of the silent era who appeared in at least five silent films
Peter Stuart Hopkirk (1930-2014), British journalist, author and historian from Nottingham, who wrote six books about the British Empire, Russia and Central Asia
Patrick Barron "Paddy" Hopkirk MBE (b. 1933), Irish former rally driver from Northern Ireland
Cyril Spottiswoode Moy Hopkirk (1894-1987), New Zealand animal science administrator and veterinary scientist

The Hopkirk Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Spero procedere
Motto Translation: I hope to prosper.

Citations +

Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 4th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 4 August 2020