Show ContentsHaldernesse History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Haldernesse name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived in the Holderness district in the East Riding of Yorkshire. It is now found in the county of Humberside. The place-name is derived from the Old Scandinavian words holdr, a landholding held by a member of the yeomanry, and nes, a promontory or headland.

Early Origins of the Haldernesse family

The surname Haldernesse was first found in East Riding of Yorkshire at Skipsea. "The manor is one of those which have continued members of the seigniory of Holderness to the present day. In the 12th of Edward III., the king granted a market to the place, to be held on Thursday in every week, and two fairs to be held annually, one on All Saints' day, and the other on the day of the translation of St. Thomas the Martyr." 1

Early History of the Haldernesse family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Haldernesse research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Haldernesse History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Haldernesse Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Haldernesse has undergone many spelling variations, including Holderness, Holdernesse, Houlderness and others.

Early Notables of the Haldernesse family

More information is included under the topic Early Haldernesse Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Haldernesse family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Haldernesse were among those contributors: Henry Holdernesse arrived in Philadelphia in 1807; Edward and William Holderness settled in Philadelphia in 1820.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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