Hollyer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

There are several different possible derivations for this surname. Some lines of the name may be descended from the French name d'Ollier. The name Hollyer in some cases, is thought to have been an occupational name for a brothel-keeper, from the Middle English and Old French word "holier," itself a variation of "horier." Another derivation sees the name coming from the plant name holly, in which case the name was probably topographic, referring to someone who live near a holly tree.

Early Origins of the Hollyer family

The surname Hollyer was first found in Bedfordshire, where a Robert le Holyere was on record in the Subsidy Rolls of 1309.

Early History of the Hollyer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hollyer research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1690 and 1714 are included under the topic Early Hollyer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hollyer Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Hollyer, Hullyer, Hollister, Hollier and others.

Early Notables of the Hollyer family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Hollyer of Bedfordshire

Migration of the Hollyer family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Hollyer or a variant listed above: Julian Hollier, who arrived in Virginia in 1623; Hugh Hollier, who settled in Salem, MA in 1629; John Hollier, a servant sent to Barbados in 1655; Joane Hollyer, a servant sent to Virginia in 1667.

Contemporary Notables of the name Hollyer (post 1700) +

Frederick Hollyer (1837-1933), English portrait photographer