Jean Hotman, Marquis de Villers-St-Paul (1552 - January 26, 1636) was a French diplomat.

The son of the famous jurist and author François Hotman. He was born in Geneva because his family was in exile during the Wars of Religion in France. His father, although heir to an estate, did not take the title of Marquis because of his adherence to Protestantism.

Jean studied law at Valence graduating before 1568. He later went to Paris in 1578, becoming a tutor in the household of the English Ambassador to Paris, Sir Amias Paulet. When Amias returned to England, Jean followed him there. Sir Francis Bacon also traveled with Sir Amias during this time 1577-78, and it is possible they knew each other.

He graduated from the University of Oxford in 1581 and was secretary to Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester in 1588.

Upon the death of his father in 1590, he returned to France to settle the estate and became the guardian of his three unmarried sisters.

At one point, he apparently received the title of Count d'Hotman