Holeham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The origins of the Holeham surname date from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name originated with an early member who was a holy man, typically a priest or friar. 1

The surname Holeham originally derived from the Old English word Hol or Hool. Another reference claims the name was derived from the Old English words "holh" + "mann" and literally meant "dweller by a hollow." 2

And another source claims the name was "a contraction of Holyman; but is more likely to be "whole man," a man of sterling mettle. It must be recollected that in medieval English whole was spelt without the w, and the commonest form of this name in the XIV. and XV. cent. is Holeman." 3

Early Origins of the Holeham family

The surname Holeham was first found in Essex, where one of the first records of the name was John Holman, Holeman who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. 2

A search through the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 proved to be fruitful: Walter Halloman, Lincolnshire; and William Holyman, Lincolnshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included entries for Adam Holman, marchautit; and Thomas Halman. 1

The source, Feodarium Prioratus Dunelmensis (Surtees Society included an entry for Robert Halyman, Yorkshire, but no date was provided. And the Calendar of Proceedings in Chancery, temp. Elizabeth I., included an entry for Digorie Holman, temp. Elizabeth. 1 All of the aforementioned held lands in their respective shires.

Early History of the Holeham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holeham research. Another 150 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1307, 1531, 1582, 1593, 1628, 1633, 1638, 1659, 1661, 1669, 1685, 1700 and 1730 are included under the topic Early Holeham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holeham 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. Holeham has been recorded under many different variations, including Holman, Hollman, Holeman and others.

Early Notables of the Holeham family

Notables of the family at this time include Philip Holman (c. 1593-1669), an English merchant and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1659, High Sheriff of Northamptonshire in 1638; Philip Holman, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1633; and Sir...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Holeham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Holeham family to Ireland

Some of the Holeham family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holeham migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Holeham Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Bridget Holeham, aged 18, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Eliza" 4
Bridget Holeham, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eliza" in 1849 4

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ELIZA 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Eliza.htm