Surname Hoppers - Meaning and Origin
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Hoppers: What does the surname Hoppers mean?
The last name Hoppers comes from the old English word 'hoppan', which means 'to hop'. Hopping in this context was generally used to refer to leaping or springing into the air. Therefore, the name is likely to have been originally given to someone who was known for jumping or leaping about, such as an acrobat or a dancer.
The name is also historically associated with the habit of small birds called hoppers, which are known for hopping around in search of food. Consequently, the name Hopper could have also been given to someone who was known for their agility and movement.
The surname is most commonly found in England, Wales and Ireland, which indicates it may be of Celtic origin. Due to its unique sudden or abrupt connotation, it could also be derived from an occupational source as it was apparently sometimes used to refer to messengers and the act of running to deliver messages.
More recently, the surname has been used in fictional works, such as E. B. White’s children's books, Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web. Here, the surname is used to refer to the characters of Mr and Mrs Hopper, who are a kind, patient and protective parent figures.
Given its various possible sources, the name Hoppers is historically rich with hints of agility, movement and quickness. It is also an evocative name with a pleasant sound that befits its origins.
Order DNA origin analysisHoppers: Where does the name Hoppers come from?
The last name Hoppers is a fairly common name in many different regions of the world. In the United States, Hoppers is most commonly found in the Midwest and Northeast, specifically in the states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio. There are also concentrations in Texas, Virginia, and California. In the United Kingdom, Hoppers is commonly found in the counties of Hampshire, Hertfordshire, and Kent. Additionally, Hoppers appears in the Netherlands, South Africa, and Australia.
Aside from its geographic spread, Hoppers is associated with a range of occupations including farming, hunting, and carpentry. In the United States, the last name is most commonly linked to farming, due to the large numbers of Dutch and English immigrants who were farmers in colonial times. In the United Kingdom, some Hoppers are linked to the merchant laughing stock profession, while in South Africa, the surname is associated with professional hunters and travelling gypsies.
As a unique surname, Hoppers is well known for its religious affiliations in some parts of the world. With the influx of Dutch and English Protestants to the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries, many of the Hoppers in this region were affiliated with the Dutch Reformed Church. In South Africa, congregations of Dutch Reformed Church and Christ Church were founded in the early 19th century.
No matter where it is found, the last name Hoppers now carries a reputation of being a prominent and influential family. With each passing generation, the name Hoppers has become more commonplace and continues to be associated with a wide range of quality services and professions.
Variations of the surname Hoppers
The surname Hoppers is of Dutch origin and is traditionally spelled as Hopper. This spelling has become fairly common however there are several other spellings that can also be found. Some of these different variants include Hoepper, Hoepker, Hoepfner, Hoepner, Hoebel, Hoeben, Hopegger, and Hopfinger.
Within Dutch, the surname Hoppers is usually seen as a patronymic. This means that the surname is derived from the father’s given name, in most cases, Johannes. This name has been adopted by many families over the years and can be seen in different iterations such as Joppen, Hopman, Jopsen, Joppesen, Joopers, Joppers and Joop.
Variants of the Dutch surname Hoppers can also be found in other countries as a result of immigration. In Germany, for instance, the variants include Hoepfner, Hoepner, Hoebel and Hoeben. In the Scandinavian countries, such as Norway and Sweden, variants include Hopegger and Hopfinger. In England, the Anglicized versions of the surname Hoppers include Hopper, Hoppers, Hopperman, Hopperd and Hopperton.
In addition, the Dutch variant Hoppers can be found in the United States, where it is usually spelled as Hopper. There are also numerous variants in the country, which include Hopperd, Hopperman, Hopperton, Hopecker, Hopgger and Hoeppner.
Overall, the surname Hoppers has numerous versions that can be found in different countries, mostly due to migration and variations in language.
Famous people with the name Hoppers
- Dennis Hopper: American actor, filmmaker, photographer and artist.
- Willard Hopper: American actor in the early 20th century.
- Hopper Penn: American actor and son of Sean Penn and Robin Wright.
- Anson Hopper: American journalist and radio broadcaster best known for his work on the Howard Stern Radio Show.
- Toby Hopper: English former cricketer and sports commentator.
- Jack Hopper: American professional baseball player active from 1904-1912.
- G. Hopper: Historical figure apocryphally connected to the origin of the nickname 'Hoppers' for baseball teams in the Midwest of the US.
- Grace Hopper: American computer scientist and United States Navy Rear Admiral.
- Bill Hopper: American actor and son of actor DeWolf Hopper.
- Edwin Hopper: English stage and film actor active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Beatrice Cole Hopper: American philanthropist and the wife of actor DeWolf Hopper.
- DeWolf Hopper: American actor and comedian of stage, screen and vaudeville.
- Alex Hopper: UCLA receiver during the 2011 season and 2012 NFL Draft pick.
- Bo Hopper: English rock and blues musician and vocalist in the band Slaves of New York.
- Glenn Hopper: British short wicket county cricketer.
- Madison Hopper: American actor and former Miss Junior Teen Minnesota.
- Sarah Hopper: Canadian singer-songwriter.