Show ContentsHolliman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Holliman has a history dating as far back as the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for 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 Holliman family

The surname Holliman 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 Holliman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holliman 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 Holliman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holliman Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Holliman have been found, including Hollyman, Holyman, Holleyman, Holeyman, Holliman, Holiman and many more.

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

Holliman Ranking

In the United States, the name Holliman is the 4,999th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 3


United States Holliman migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Holliman, or a variant listed above:

Holliman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Ezekeil Holliman, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1634 4
  • Ezekiel Holliman, who landed in Salem, Massachusetts in 1635 4
  • Christopher Holliman, who sailed to Virginia in 1653
  • Judith Holliman, who landed in Virginia in 1653 4
  • Christopr Holliman, who landed in Virginia in 1653 4
Holliman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Holliman went to Virginia in 1701
  • John Holliman, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 4
  • Thomas Holliman, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Holliman (post 1700) +

  • Lindsey Hugh Holliman, American politician, former Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly
  • John Holliman (1948-1998), American broadcast journalist
  • Earl Holliman (b. 1928), American Golden Globe Award nominated actor
  • Margaret Holliman, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Georgia, 1972 5
  • James A. Holliman, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Alabama, 1972 5
  • Cecil R. Holliman, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Alabama 9th District, 1942 5
  • Shirlie Holliman (b. 1962), English former pop singer

Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Jerry W Holliman (1956-1985), American Staff Sergeant from Coldwater, Mississippi, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 6


  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)
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  6. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550


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