Gell baronets

The Gell Baronetcy of Hopton in the County of Derby, was a title in the Baronetage of England.

It was created on 29 January 1642 for John Gell, Hopton Hall, Derbyshire, chief barmaster in the wapentake of Wirksworth from 1638–1644.

Sir John Gell, 1st Baronet received the baronetcy on the eve of the English Civil War, but fought for the Parliamentary side.

The Gells lost much of their financial wealth and were left in debt at the 1660 restoration of the monarchy, from previous expenditure 'agitating for Parliament', then in 1661 they lost important local mineral rights, forcing the family to borrow large sums of money, sell off land and lead mines, and controversially 'enclose' - seize and fence off - nearby common land in Carsington and Wirksworth, to use as collateral for more loans, which led to ongoing dispute with neighbours.

The Via Gellia, a wooded valley road running from Wirksworth, was named after the Gell family, in mock Latin style.