Show ContentsHolternass History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Holternass is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family 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 Holternass family

The surname Holternass 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 Holternass family

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

Holternass Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Holternass are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Holternass include: Holderness, Holdernesse, Houlderness and others.

Early Notables of the Holternass family

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

Migration of the Holternass family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Holternass or a variant listed above: 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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