Show ContentsHollioak History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hollioak family

The surname Hollioak was first found in Leicestershire at Holy-Oakes, a liberty, in the parish of DryStoke, union of Uppingham, hundred of Gartree. Historically, a very small liberty with only a few inhabitants, but nevertheless, it was a significant home to a number of important people which we shall explore.

The first record of the family was Gerard de Haliach, who was found here in the Pipe Rolls of 1188. Later in Worcester, Peter de la Holyok was registered in 1300. 1

Early History of the Hollioak family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hollioak research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1188, 1300, 1455, 1487, 1567, 1582, 1604, 1616, 1625, 1632, 1636, 1639, 1642, 1653, 1657, 1675 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Hollioak History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hollioak Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Hollioak include Hollyoke, Holyoke, Hollyoak, Hollioake, Hollyoak, Holioke, Hollioke, Hallioke, Hallyoke, Ollioke, Olyoke, Hollioak, Holyoak, Holyoake, Hollyhock, Hollyock and many more.

Early Notables of the Hollioak family

Distinguished members of the family include Francis Holyoake (1567-1653), a British lexicographer, born at Nether Whitacre, Warwickshire. "About 1582 he studied as a commoner at Queen's College, Oxford, though it does not appear that he took a degree. Afterwards he taught a school, first at Oxford, and then in Warwickshire. In February 1604 he was instituted to the rectory of Southam, Warwickshire. In 1625 he was elected a member of convocation. In 1642 he was forced from his house by the parliamentarians, his wife was so ill-used as to hasten her death, his servant was killed, and his estate...
Another 99 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hollioak Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hollioak family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Edward Holyoke, who arrived in Lynn, Massachusetts between the years 1620 and 1650; Daniel Holyoak and David Holyoak, who were both listed as British Deportees to America in 1767.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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