The surname Hollyoak 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]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hollyoak research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1188, 1300, 1455, 1487, 1567, 1653, 1582, 1604, 1625, 1642, 1653, 1616, 1675, 1632, 1636, 1639, 1657, 1731 and 1657 are included under the topic Early Hollyoak History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Hollyoak have been found, including Hollyoke, Holyoke, Hollyoak, Hollioake, Hollyoak, Holioke, Hollioke, Hallioke, Hallyoke, Ollioke, Olyoke, Hollioak, Holyoak, Holyoake, Hollyhock, Hollyock and many more.
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 Hollyoak Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.