Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Hopping Farm 1765 R

• Hoppings Wood Farm 1823 G

• Hoppyng mede 1536 Merton t.Hy8 MinAcct

Etymology

This word has already been noted in PN Nth pp. 81 and lii.Since that volume was published, further examples have been noted, as follows: (i) Hoppinghill Fm in Newstead (Nt), which in a Survey of the 15th century is Hoppynges , later the Hoppinge (1602), (ii) Hoppyng Fields (1539 LP) in Islington (Mx), and (iii) Great Hoppings in Highclere (Ha). The distribution of this term in Ha, Sr, Mx, Nth, Nt and Db makes connection with the cultivated hop unlikely. It should be noted, however, that according to the most recent views as to the status of the hop in England, it may well be that the hop in its uncultivated state is native to southern England. Dr Ritter suggests that the word hopping is of the same collective type as that noted under Thurning (PN Nth 221), Hazeldean and Bramble Bottom (PN Sx 263, 418). Hence 'place where the hop-plant grows.'