He was the son of yeoman William Hartopp, of Freeby (Freathby), Leicestershire.
In 1628 he was elected knight of the shire (MP) for Leicestershire and was created a baronet on 3 December 1619.
During the Civil War he sided with the Parliamentarians and his estate was seized by the Royalists.
He had married Mary, the daughter of Sir Erasmus Dryden, 1st Baronet, of Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire.
His son Edward fought for Parliament as a regimental commander in the Civil War.