Holtoomb History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Holtoomb is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in one of the settlements called Holton in the counties of Dorset, Suffolk and Somerset. The surname Holtoomb belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Holtoomb family

The surname Holtoomb was first found in the Isle of Wight where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

The family later settled in Wiltshire in the reign of James I (1567-1625) and held Farley Castle there at that time. Rev. Robert Houlton of Milton, Clevedon, Somerset, the promoter of the Suttonian method of variolation was a descendant of this line.

Early History of the Holtoomb family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holtoomb research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1696, 1700, 1720 and 1724 are included under the topic Early Holtoomb History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holtoomb 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. Holtoomb has been spelled many different ways, including Houlton, Holton and others.

Early Notables of the Holtoomb family

Notables of the family at this time include Jospeh Houlton Esq., of Trowbridge, (died 1720) High Sheriff of Wiltshire in 1696, her purchased from the Hungerford family in 1700...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Holtoomb Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Holtoomb 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 Holtoombs to arrive in North America: John Holton settled in Virginia in 1635; along with Bartholomew; William Holton settled in Cambridge Mass in 1630; John and George Holton settled in Maryland in 1774..

The Holtoomb Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Semper fidelis
Motto Translation: Always faithful.