Constituency Dates
Dunwich [1571]
Suffolk [1589]
Family and Education
1st s. of (Sir) Owen Hopton by Anne, da. and coh. of Sir Edward Echingham. educ. G. Inn 1562. m. Rachel, da. of Edmund Hall of Gretford, Lincs., 5s. 11da. suc. uncle Sir Ralph Hopton 1571, fa. 1595. KB July 1603.
Offices Held

J.p. Som. from c. 1573, sheriff 1583 – 84, col. of musters c. 1588; j.p. Suff. from c. 1590, grain commr. 1586.1Rylands Eng. ms 304; Suckling, Suff. ii. 137, 147; Vis. Som. (Harl. soc. xi), 57–57; C142/304/50; Egerton 2345, f. 33; Lansd. 35, f. 136; 48, f. 146; 73, f. 162; 94, f. 137; f. 157; SP12/121, f. 30; HMC Hatfield, xi. 385.

Address
Main residences: Blythburgh, Suff.; Witham Friary, Som.
biography text

In 1571, when Hopton was returned for Dunwich, his father was knight of the shire for Suffolk. His direct patron, however, may have been one of the Wingfields. By 1588, Hopton had himself sufficient standing to be elected to the county seat, though the family were gradually mortgaging and losing the greater part of their Suffolk property. Hopton himself removed to Somerset soon after this Parliament, troubled by litigation and burdened by debts. In his second Parliament he took charge of the bill dealing with Orford harbour (13, 14 Feb. 1589) and was on the committee of a legal bill (17 Feb.). He died on 20 Nov. 1607.2APC, xv. 151, 311; xiii. 265; xvi. 45, 69, 73, 93, 232; svii. 314; xviii. 340, 361l; xxii. 243; xxviii. 410; xxix. 462; CSP Dom. 1547-80, p. 650; 1581-90, pp. 240, 390, 403; 1591-4, p. 178; 1595-7, p. 155; Hist. Colls. Suff. RO, Blois mss; Townshend, 17; D’Ewes, 433; C142/304/50.

Author
G.M.C.
Volume
Commons 1558-1603
Notes
  • 1. Rylands Eng. ms 304; Suckling, Suff. ii. 137, 147; Vis. Som. (Harl. soc. xi), 57–57; C142/304/50; Egerton 2345, f. 33; Lansd. 35, f. 136; 48, f. 146; 73, f. 162; 94, f. 137; f. 157; SP12/121, f. 30; HMC Hatfield, xi. 385.
  • 2. APC, xv. 151, 311; xiii. 265; xvi. 45, 69, 73, 93, 232; svii. 314; xviii. 340, 361l; xxii. 243; xxviii. 410; xxix. 462; CSP Dom. 1547-80, p. 650; 1581-90, pp. 240, 390, 403; 1591-4, p. 178; 1595-7, p. 155; Hist. Colls. Suff. RO, Blois mss; Townshend, 17; D’Ewes, 433; C142/304/50.