This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Robert,' from nick. Hob or Hobbe, and diminutive Hob-kin; compare Watkin, Wilkin, or Tompkin. Hopkin is a sharpened form. v. Hoppe. &c.

Nicholas Hobekyn, Cambridgeshire 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Roger Hobekyn, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

Hobbekin, of Windsor, Gloucestershire, 1280: Household Exp., Richard de Swintield, Cam. Soc.

Alicia Hobkynnes, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

Agnes Hobkyn-wyf, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Rogerus Hobson, 1379: ibid.

Alicia Hob-doghter, 1379: ibid.

1563. Walter Hobekyne, or Hopkin, of Warton: Lancashire Wills at Richmond.

1567. Married — Thomas Dale and Chrtstyan Hobkyns: St. Dionis Backchurch.

1570-Buried — John Hopkynnes: St. Peter, Cornhill.

1616. Married — Ephraim Hopkinson and Alice Harris: ibid.

1626. Anthony Hobkin, or Hopkin, of Warton: Lancashire Wills at Richmond.

Hopkins is, of course, a well known English surname derived from Hobb, a colloquial form of Robert; and no doubt some families of Hopkins in Ireland, including those from whom the townlands of Hopkinstown * (Co. Meath) and Hopkinsrea (Co. Tipperary) are named, are of English origin. But the prevalence of the name in Connacht, particularly in Co. Mayo, and the fact that Habbagan is recorded in our own time as synonymous with Hopkins there, suggest a different and more Irish background.

This is corroborated by a search of seventeenth century records. For example the “census” of 1659-60 records Hobigan as one of the principal Irish names in the barony of Rathcline, Co. Longford, which is adjacent to Co. Roscommon. Even more convincing is the evidence of the Galway Book of Survey & Distribution, wherein we read that in the Parish of Addergoole a man called Edward Hopkins in 1676 was styled Edward Obbykin in 1641. I might also mention Edmond Hopkine alias Bokine of Lacka, Co. Galway, who according to the list in the Ormond manuscripts, was transplanted in 1656, as was Honora Hopkin, of Co. Westmeath. Somewhat earlier we find among a list of Mayo clergy, mostly bearing Gaelic Irish names, Donald MacObichin in the parish of Ballinchalla. I think therefore, it can be accepted that in Connacht, where the present Hopkins population is estimated to be approximately 1000 persons, Hopkins is either a Gaelic or at any rate a Gaelicized Norman surname.

*This place-name is not of modern origin: in a Fiant of 1579 it occurs, but was then recorded as Hipkenstown.

For Hobkin’s (Son) v. Hobkin.

In Connacht and Co. Longford, where it is fairly numerous, this very English name has been adopted as the modern form of the gaelicized Norman Mac Oibicin. In other parts of Ireland it is usually of English origin. SIF 91

“Little Robert” in Old English.

(Welsh, English) The son of little Hob, a variant of Rob, pet forms of Robert (fame, bright).

From Robert, through Hob, with the diminutive kin. The H.R. form is Hobekyn. A family of this name have possessed a farm at Swalcliffe, co. Oxon, from the XIII. cent., and nineteen successive proprietors bore the Christian name of John. They believe themselves to be descended from a younger son of one of the three Sir Robert de Wykehams who were in succession owners of Swalcliffe, temp. John and Henry III. The arms too of Hopkyns appear to have been partly borrowed from those of Wykeham. Information of D. D. Hopkyns, Esq.

Little Robert, or the child of Robert. The same as Hobkins (which see).