Show ContentsHoulbrook History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Houlbrook comes from when the family resided in the region of Holbrook in Suffolk. The surname Houlbrook originally referred to a "sunken stream"or "hollow brook", "brook in a hollow" in Old English. [1]

"Holbrook is an ancient surname in the east of England. As Holebrok, we found it six centuries ago in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Suffolk, and also in Northamptonshire. There are parishes, etc., named Holbrook in the counties of Derby, Warwick, Gloucester, Dorset, and Sussex." [2]

Early Origins of the Houlbrook family

The surname Houlbrook was first found in Suffolk at Holbrook, a parish, in the incorporation and hundred of Samford or at Holbrook in Derbyshire, a chapelry, in the parish of Duffield, union of Belper, hundred of Appletree. Both locations are listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Holebroc. [3] Literally, the place name means "hollow brook", "brook in a hollow," from the Old English words "hol" + "broc." [1]

"Holbrook Hall is a fine old mansion, surrounded with 300 acres of land" [4] built in the 17th century. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include some of the first entries for the family: William de Holebrok, Lincolnshire; Richard de Holebrokke, Suffolk; and Roger de Holebrokke, Nottinghamshire. [5] Kirby's Quest listed Isota Holebrok, in Somerset, temp. 1 Edward III. [6] Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed William Holbroke. [5]

Early History of the Houlbrook family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Houlbrook research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1189, 1412, 1413, 1418, 1421, 1437, 1622 and 1635 are included under the topic Early Houlbrook History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Houlbrook 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 Houlbrook include Holbrook, Holbrow, Holbrooks, Holbroake and many more.

Early Notables of the Houlbrook family

Distinguished members of the family include John Holbrook (d. 1437), Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge, a native of Suffolk. He was educated at Peterhouse, of which he became a fellow in 1412; during the same year took holy orders, receiving...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Houlbrook Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Houlbrook 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: Thomas Holbrook settled in Boston, Massachusetts in 1630; Charles Holbrick settled in Washington, Maryland in 1798; Anne Holbrooke settled in Barbados in 1654.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.


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