Where does the term ‘Hoppings’ come from? Several origins have been suggested for the name
- Most relate to dancing, the word ‘hopping’ meaning a dance in Middle English (old fairs included dancing)
- Another idea stems from the clothing which the travellers wear-old, sack-like tops and pants, clothing often became infested with fleas from the animals they travelled with. People were often seen ‘jumping’ or ‘hopping’ about, itching from the bites they received.
- Or the name may derive from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘hoppen’ meaning funfair.