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