Mine called them that also. Found this on Wiki.
The hoe cake got its’ name from how it was made. When the Indians were working fields, they left home early in the morning and didn’t return home until after dark. They would carry prepared dry mix and a pan to the fields and, at lunchtime, grab some water or milk (if available), and stir it into the mix. This would make the dough. Then they cleaned off any dirt with a cultivating hoe, which they then heated in a fire. The flattened dough was put onto the hot hoe, which was then held as near the fire as possible without burning and. The dough baked.
Thats how the cake got its’ name!
Thanks for the info.