Show ContentsHolliocke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Holliocke family

The surname Holliocke was first found in Leicestershire at Holy-Oakes, a liberty, in the parish of DryStoke, union of Uppingham, hundred of Gartree. Historically, a very small liberty with only a few inhabitants, but nevertheless, it was a significant home to a number of important people which we shall explore.

The first record of the family was Gerard de Haliach, who was found here in the Pipe Rolls of 1188. Later in Worcester, Peter de la Holyok was registered in 1300. 1

Early History of the Holliocke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holliocke research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1188, 1300, 1455, 1487, 1567, 1582, 1604, 1616, 1625, 1632, 1636, 1639, 1642, 1653, 1657, 1675 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Holliocke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holliocke Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Holliocke include Hollyoke, Holyoke, Hollyoak, Hollioake, Hollyoak, Holioke, Hollioke, Hallioke, Hallyoke, Ollioke, Olyoke, Hollioak, Holyoak, Holyoake, Hollyhock, Hollyock and many more.

Early Notables of the Holliocke family

Distinguished members of the family include Francis Holyoake (1567-1653), a British lexicographer, born at Nether Whitacre, Warwickshire. "About 1582 he studied as a commoner at Queen's College, Oxford, though it does not appear that he took a degree. Afterwards he taught a school, first at Oxford, and then in Warwickshire. In February 1604 he was instituted to the rectory of Southam, Warwickshire. In 1625 he was elected a member of convocation. In 1642 he was forced from his house by the parliamentarians, his wife was so ill-used as to hasten her death, his servant was killed, and his estate...
Another 99 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Holliocke Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Holliocke family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Holliocke were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Edward Holyoke, who arrived in Lynn, Massachusetts between the years 1620 and 1650; Daniel Holyoak and David Holyoak, who were both listed as British Deportees to America in 1767.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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