Show ContentsHolken History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Holken is a name whose history is entwined with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for a holy man who was a priest or friar. The surname Holken 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." 1

Early Origins of the Holken family

The surname Holken 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. 1

Early History of the Holken family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holken research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1307, 1593, 1633, 1638, 1659, 1661, 1669, 1685, 1700 and 1730 are included under the topic Early Holken History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holken Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Holken were recorded, including Holman, Hollman, Holeman and others.

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

Ireland Migration of the Holken family to Ireland

Some of the Holken 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.


Australia Holken migration to Australia +

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

Holken Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Catharine Holken, (b. 1849), aged 22, Cornish general servant departing from Plymouth on 31st October 1870 aboard the ship "Essex" arriving in Hobsons Bay, Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia on 25th January 1871 2


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf


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