Popa History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Popa is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in Popham, Hants (now Hampshire). The first portion of the name is of uncertain meaning; medieval scholars believe that it is derived from the Old English word popp, which means pebble, but that etymology is uncertain. The second element, ham, means homestead or enclosure. Popham was recorded as Popham in 903, and as Popeham in the Domesday Book, 1 compiled in 1086.

Early Origins of the Popa family

The surname Popa was first found in Hampshire at Popham, a village south of Basingstoke. It is claimed that "an ancestor, Gilbert de Popham, lived in the reign or King John; and there the elder line continued till 17 Henry VI. The Sommerstshire Pophams branched out of the Hampshire family, so early as temp. Edward I." 2 3

Early History of the Popa family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Popa research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1190, 1293, 1434, 1435, 1463, 1531, 1573, 1580, 1581, 1583, 1592, 1595, 1597, 1607, 1610, 1612, 1644, 1651 and 1669 are included under the topic Early Popa History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Popa Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Popa has been spelled many different ways, including Popham, Poppam and others.

Early Notables of the Popa family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir John Popham (died 1463), English military commander and Speaker-elect of the House of Commons, son of Sir John Popham, a younger son of the ancient Hampshire family of Popham of Popham between Basingstoke and Winchester; Sir Stephen Popham, High Sheriff of Wiltshire in 1434-1435; Sir John Popham (1531-1607), Speaker of the House of Commons from 1580 to 1583, Attorney General 1581 to...
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Popa Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Popa Ranking

In the United States, the name Popa is the 16,775^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Popa family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Popas to arrive in North America: Edward and George Popham settled in Maine in 1607; thirteen years before the "Mayflower"; Richard Popham settled in New York in 1820.

Contemporary Notables of the name Popa (post 1700) +

Wesley Popa Jr., American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives from St. Clair County, 1952 5
Ioan Popa (1953-2017), Romanian fencer at the 1976 and 1980 Summer Olympics

The Popa 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: Mens pristina mansit
Motto Translation: The original mind hath remained.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 25) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html