Show ContentsHollioke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hollioke family

The surname Hollioke 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 Hollioke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hollioke 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 Hollioke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hollioke Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Hollioke has been spelled many different ways, including Hollyoke, Holyoke, Hollyoak, Hollioake, Hollyoak, Holioke, Hollioke, Hallioke, Hallyoke, Ollioke, Olyoke, Hollioak, Holyoak, Holyoake, Hollyhock, Hollyock and many more.

Early Notables of the Hollioke 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 Hollioke Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hollioke family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Holliokes to arrive in North America: 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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