Holbeam History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Etymology of Holbeam

The name Holbeam is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in Holbeach, a market-town and parish in Lincolnshire. "The ancient name of this place was Oldbeche, it having been built near an old beach which the receding of the waters had left; and it is evident, from the different embankments constructed between the Foss-Dyke and the Cross-Keys Washes, that all the land in the vicinity of the town was once covered by the waters of the North Sea. Foundations of walls, and pavements, have been discovered, and several ancient coins, urns, and seals dug up at different periods." 1 2

However, other sources have different understandings of where the name originated. First of all, some say the name was derived from Holbeck, found in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire. The latter is by far, the largest of the three and "derives its name from the rivulet whereon it is situated." 1 3 4 5

Secondly, one source claims the name was originally Norman as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Hugh Faber de Holbec and Nicholas de Holbec there in 1198. 6

Early Origins of the Holbeam family

Early History of the Holbeam family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holbeam research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1527, 1534, 1535, 1536 and 1551 are included under the topic Early Holbeam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holbeam 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 Holbeam 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 Holbeam include: Holbeck, Holbech, Holbech, Holbeche, Holbeame and others.

Early Notables of the Holbeam family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Henry Holbeach or Rands (d. 1551), Bishop of Lincoln, a native of Holbeach, Lincolnshire. His surname was properly Rands, but on becoming a monk of Crowland he assumed the name of his birthplace. He entered Cambridge...
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Holbeam Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Holbeam 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 Holbeam or a variant listed above: William Holbeck, who arrived on the "Mayflower" at Plymouth Massachusetts in 1620; Mr. Holbeck arrived in Philadelphia in 1796.