Show ContentsHoldernesse History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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  • England
Holdernesse Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Holdernesse

What does the name Holdernesse mean?

The roots of the Anglo-Saxon name Holdernesse come from when the family resided in the Holderness district in the East Riding of Yorkshire. It is now found in the county of Humberside. The place-name is derived from the Old Scandinavian words holdr, a landholding held by a member of the yeomanry, and nes, a promontory or headland.

Early Origins of the Holdernesse family

The surname Holdernesse was first found in East Riding of Yorkshire at Skipsea. "The manor is one of those which have continued members of the seigniory of Holderness to the present day. In the 12th of Edward III., the king granted a market to the place, to be held on Thursday in every week, and two fairs to be held annually, one on All Saints' day, and the other on the day of the translation of St. Thomas the Martyr." 1

Early History of the Holdernesse family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holdernesse research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Holdernesse History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holdernesse Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Holdernesse has been recorded under many different variations, including Holderness, Holdernesse, Houlderness and others.

Early Notables of the Holdernesse family

More information is included under the topic Early Holdernesse Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holdernesse migration to the United States+

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Holdernesse or a variant listed above:

Holdernesse Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Henry Holdernesse, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1807
  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.

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