Hoptombe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Hoptombe reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Hoptombe family 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 Hoptombe family

The surname Hoptombe 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 Hoptombe family

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

Hoptombe Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Hoptombe family name include Hopton, Hobton, Hoptone and others.

Early Notables of the Hoptombe family (pre 1700)

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 Hoptombe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hoptombe family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Hoptombe family to immigrate 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)