Holbek History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Holbek first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having 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 Holbek family

The surname Holbek was first found in Lincolnshire where the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include three listings for the family: Everard de Holebech or Holebeck; Hugh de Hollebeche; and Thomas de Holebeck. 2

Later, Thomas de Holebech was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1298. 7

The source Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I. has one listing: Agnes de Holebeck, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire: Henry III-Edward I and the source Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III has one listing: Adam de Holebeche, Lincolnshire, 20 Edward I (during the 20th year of King Edward III's reign.) 8

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls also includes one listing: Johanna de Holbek. 2

Early History of the Holbek family

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

Holbek Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Holbek has appeared include Holbeck, Holbech, Holbech, Holbeche, Holbeame and others.

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

Migration of the Holbek family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Holbek arrived in North America very early: William Holbeck, who arrived on the "Mayflower" at Plymouth Massachusetts in 1620; Mr. Holbeck arrived in Philadelphia in 1796.

Citations +

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)
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)