The Anglo-Saxon name Holbrow comes from the family having resided in the region of Holbrook in Suffolk. The surname Holbrow 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]
The surname Holbrow 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]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holbrow research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1189, 1622, 1635, 1437, 1412, 1413, 1418 and 1421 are included under the topic Early Holbrow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Holbrow has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Holbrook, Holbrow, Holbrooks, Holbroake and many more.
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 Holbrow Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.