The ancestors of the name Holbroock date back to the
Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Holbroock family lived in the region
of Holbrook in
Suffolk. The surname Holbroock originally referred to a "sunken stream"or "hollow brook", "brook in a hollow" in Old English.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4) "Holbrook is an ancient surname in the east of
England. As Holebrok we find 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print. Early Origins of the Holbroock family
The surname Holbroock 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8) Literally, the place name means "hollow brook, brook in a hollow," from the Old English words "hol" + "broc."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4) "Holbrook Hall is a fine old mansion, surrounded with 300 acres of land"
[4]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) Kirby's Quest listed Isota Holebrok, in
Somerset,
temp. 1 Edward III.
[6]CITATION[CLOSE]
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. Later the
Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed William Holbroke.
[5]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Early History of the Holbroock family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holbroock research.
Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1189, 1622 and 1635 are included under the topic Early Holbroock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Holbroock 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 Holbroock 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. The variations of the name Holbroock include: Holbrook, Holbrow, Holbrooks, Holbroake and many more.
Early Notables of the Holbroock family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Holbroock Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Holbroock family to the New World and Oceana
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 Holbroock or a variant listed above: Thomas Holbrook settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1630; Charles Holbrick settled in Washington Maryland in 1798; Anne Holbrooke settled in Barbados in 1654.