Show ContentsHolleghan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Holleghan is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a person who was referred to as the Holy-man. 1 A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favoured style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character.

Early Origins of the Holleghan family

The surname Holleghan was first found in Berkshire where Roger Haliman was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1212. Years later in Lincolnshire, William Holyman was found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1276, as was Richard Hollyman. 2

Early History of the Holleghan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holleghan research. Another 46 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1379, 1495, 1512, 1514, 1518, 1526 and 1558 are included under the topic Early Holleghan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holleghan 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 Holleghan were recorded, including Hollyman, Holyman, Holleyman, Holeyman, Holliman, Holiman and many more.

Early Notables of the Holleghan family

Distinguished members of the family include John Holyman (1495-1558), was Bishop of Bristol, was a native of Coddington, near Haddenham in Buckinghamshire. He was educated at Winchester and New College, Oxford, and in...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Holleghan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Holleghan family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Holleghan family emigrate to North America: Christopher Holliman, who sailed to Virginia in 1653; William Hollyman to Virginia in 1656; John Holliman to Virginia in 1701; and Margret Holleman to Alabama in 1851..



  1. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook