The surname Jopp originated in England and is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "copp" or "coppe," which referred to a hill or mound. This suggests that the name may have initially been given as a descriptive name to someone who lived near a distinctive hill or hilltop.
The earliest recorded instance of the surname Jopp dates back to the late 12th century, in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1197, where a Robert Coppe is mentioned. This spelling variation highlights the name's evolution over time.
In the 13th century, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included a record of a Hugo Coppe in Oxfordshire, further solidifying the name's presence in historical documents.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John Jopp, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, in the late 15th century. He was a prominent landowner and served as a local magistrate during the reign of King Henry VIII.
Another notable individual with the surname Jopp was William Jopp, born in Yorkshire in 1632. He was a respected scholar and author, publishing several works on theology and philosophy during the 17th century.
In the 18th century, the name Jopp appeared in the records of the Society of Genealogists in London, with mentions of a Samuel Jopp, born in 1721, and his son, Thomas Jopp, born in 1754.
During the 19th century, the name gained recognition through the achievements of Sir Robert Jopp, a renowned engineer born in Staffordshire in 1821. He was instrumental in the construction of several major railway lines and bridges across Britain.
Another significant figure bearing the Jopp surname was Elizabeth Jopp, born in Oxfordshire in 1856. She was a pioneering women's rights activist and played a crucial role in the early suffragette movement in Britain.
The surname Jopp has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Jopp's Hill in Derbyshire and Jopp's Farm in Shropshire, further reinforcing its connections to geographical features and locations.