Holben History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the bearers of the Holben family name are thought have lived in ancient Anglo-Saxon England. They were first found in Holbeach, a market-town and parish in Lincolnshire. "The ancient name of this place was Oldbeche, it having been built near an old beach which the receding of the waters had left; and it is evident, from the different embankments constructed between the Foss-Dyke and the Cross-Keys Washes, that all the land in the vicinity of the town was once covered by the waters of the North Sea. Foundations of walls, and pavements, have been discovered, and several ancient coins, urns, and seals dug up at different periods." 1 2

However, other sources have different understandings of where the name originated. First of all, some say the name was derived from Holbeck, found in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire. The latter is by far, the largest of the three and "derives its name from the rivulet whereon it is situated." 1 3 4 5

Secondly, one source claims the name was originally Norman as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Hugh Faber de Holbec and Nicholas de Holbec there in 1198. 6

Early Origins of the Holben family

The surname Holben was first found in Lincolnshire where the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include three listings for the family: Everard de Holebech or Holebeck; Hugh de Hollebeche; and Thomas de Holebeck. 2

Later, Thomas de Holebech was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1298. 7

The source Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I. has one listing: Agnes de Holebeck, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire: Henry III-Edward I and the source Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III has one listing: Adam de Holebeche, Lincolnshire, 20 Edward I (during the 20th year of King Edward III's reign.) 8

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls also includes one listing: Johanna de Holbek. 2

Early History of the Holben family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holben research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1527, 1534, 1535, 1536 and 1551 are included under the topic Early Holben History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holben Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Holben include Holbeck, Holbech, Holbech, Holbeche, Holbeame and others.

Early Notables of the Holben family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Henry Holbeach or Rands (d. 1551), Bishop of Lincoln, a native of Holbeach, Lincolnshire. His surname was properly Rands, but on becoming a monk of Crowland he assumed the name of his birthplace. He entered Cambridge...
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Holben Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Holben family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Holben or a variant listed above: William Holbeck, who arrived on the "Mayflower" at Plymouth Massachusetts in 1620; Mr. Holbeck arrived in Philadelphia in 1796.

Contemporary Notables of the name Holben (post 1700) +

Evan Holben, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Pennsylvania State Senate 16th District, 1877-82 9

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html