The word 'sleeper' in this context dates from about 1789 and comes from Newcastle (where many local terms are based on old Norwegian words), it has the same root on Old Norse as the word 'slab'.
Apparently, one version (from Associated Content) is:"Just as with John, Hank was derived from Hankin, a form of Jankin. Originally Hank was a nickname for John but over time it became closely...
Sometimes, surnames were associated with WHERE a person lived, such as "Hill" or "Vale" or "Fields", for example. Also, some surnames were associated with WHAT EXPLOITS a person had accomplished,...