Surname Hopper - Meaning and Origin
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Hopper: What does the surname Hopper mean?
The last name Hopper is of English origin and is considered an occupational surname. It was primarily given to individuals who were dancers or performers, and its derivatives include 'hoppa' and 'to hop,' which were used colloquially during the medieval times in England to denote dancing or performing. The term "to hop" means to jump or skip, usually on one leg, which is essentially similar to certain dance moves, hence the connection. An alternative interpretation suggests that it could also be derived from the Middle Dutch term 'hoppe', referring to the plant used in beer brewing, indicating that the surname could have potentially been associated with families involved in brewing or selling beer. As with many surnames, the exact origin and meaning can vary and multiple interpretations often exist.
Order DNA origin analysisHopper: Where does the name Hopper come from?
The surname Hopper is of Anglo-Saxon origin, dating back to the Middle Ages in England. It is a metonymic occupational surname, given to individuals who were dancers, acrobats, or entertainers, linking to the Middle English term "hoppen" (to hop, dance). It could also denote someone who lived by a hopping, a small enclosed valley.
In the census of 1881, the highest frequency of the Hopper surname was recorded in Northumberland and Durham, UK. Today, the name has spread far and wide due to emigration, and can be frequently found in countries such as the United States, Australia, and Canada. The Hopper name is still common in England, specifically in the northeastern part. The U.S census of 2000 registered a higher number of individuals with Hopper surname, predominantly in the states of North Carolina, Kentucky, California, Missouri and Texas. However, in terms of the density of people called Hopper, it is highest in Australia. With emigration and the passage of time, the surname is globally distributed, but retains a significant presence in these regions.
Variations of the surname Hopper
The surname Hopper has a few variants and similar spellings that have evolved over the centuries in different regions. Some of the variants include Hoppe, Hopp, Hooper, Hoop, and Hoopert. The surname Hopper itself is of ancient English origin and it is mainly found in Northern England and the Scottish Borders.
It was a nickname for a dancer, acrobat, or someone who had a peculiar gait or physical deformity, deriving from the Middle English hoppen meaning "to hop". The alternate spelling 'Hooper' is derived from the Middle English term 'hoop' meaning 'to hoop barrels' or 'make buckets', indicating an occupational origin for a cooper.
In Germany, the spelling 'Hoppe' or 'Hopp' may be found. 'Hoppe' is also known to be a Dutch nickname for a one-legged or lame person. The name is known to have been brought to America by early colonial settlers, who may have modified the spelling upon immigration. Therefore, all these surnames while being slightly different, are derived from the same or similar roots.
It's also important to note that due to the nature of patronymic surnames, they often vary regionally and linguistically, and there may be many other less common variants of the Hopper surname.
Famous people with the name Hopper
- Diane Hopper: actress, producer, and director.
- Dennis Hopper: actor, director, and artist.
- Edward Hopper: painter, widely known for his iconic 20th century American works.
- Grace Hopper: a United States Navy Rear Admiral and a pioneer of computer programming.
- Nick Hopper: former NFL professional football player.
- Hopper Emmanuel-Paul: French actor, known for his roles in the films The Untouchables and La Reine Margot.
- Sadie Hopper: award-winning attorney and author.
- William Hopper: actor and the son of actor DeWolf Hopper.
- Dennis Hopper Jr.: actor and the son of the late actor Dennis Hopper.
- Peter Hopper: hockey player who had a brief career in the National Hockey League.