Hopewell

Hopewell is an English surname that originates from the Old English words "hop" and "well", which together mean "a spring by a hop plant". The name is derived from a topographic surname for someone who lived by a spring and hop plants in a small village or settlement.

Origin

The surname Hopewell has its roots in medieval England, where it was used as a descriptive name for people living near a natural spring in a hop-growing area. It is believed that those who were given the surname had some association with a location known for its hops or a natural water source.

Distribution

The surname Hopewell is most prevalent in England, especially in regions where hop cultivation was common, such as Kent and Herefordshire. Over time, the name has spread to other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, through migration and settlement.

Notable People

  • Francis Hopewell: A prominent British botanist known for his research on hop plant cultivation in the 19th century.
  • Sarah Hopewell: An English author who gained recognition for her novels set in hop-growing regions of England.

Variants

Variants of the surname Hopewell include Hopwell and Hope-Well.

References

  • Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
  • Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.

There are approximately 1,427 people named Hopewell in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,582nd most common surname in Britain. Around 22 in a million people in Britain are named Hopewell.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Anthony
  • David
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Nicholas
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • Thomas

Female

  • Angela
  • Carol
  • Christine
  • Elizabeth
  • Irene
  • Jean
  • Margaret
  • Nicola
  • Patricia
  • Rebecca
  • Rosalind
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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