Halbrook History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancient history of the Halbrook name begins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the family resided in the region of Holbrook in Suffolk. The surname Halbrook 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 Halbrook family

The surname Halbrook 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 Halbrook family

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

Halbrook Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Halbrook include Holbrook, Holbrow, Holbrooks, Holbroake and many more.

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

Halbrook migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Halbrook or a variant listed above:

Halbrook Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Roy C Halbrook, aged 32, who arrived in America, in 1911
Edward Halbrook, aged 63, who arrived in America, in 1913
John F. Halbrook, aged 56, who arrived in Holbrook, Massachusetts in 1915
Jerome Halbrook, aged 29, who arrived in America, in 1917

Halbrook migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Halbrook Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Dolly Halbrook, aged 20, who arrived in Ottawa, Canada, in 1912
Mary Halbrook, aged 58, who arrived in Ottawa, Canada, in 1912

Contemporary Notables of the name Halbrook (post 1700) +

Brad Halbrook, American politician, Republican member of the Illinois General Assembly
Kristin Halbrook, American author of young adult fiction, best known for her first novel, Nobody But Us
Harvey Wade "Swede" Halbrook (1933-1988), American former NBA player who played from 1960-1962
Robert L. Halbrook Jr., American Republican politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives from Wayne County 1st District, 1960 7

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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.
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html