Show ContentsHolston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Holston family

The surname Holston was first found in Shropshire at Halston, an extra-parochial liberty, in the hundred of Oswestry. "The Knights Templars had a preceptory here, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which subsequently belonged to the Hospitallers. Halston House is a handsome mansion, in front of which is a fine sheet of water, formed by a diversion of the channel of the river Perry." 1

However, we must look to Cheshire to find some of the first entries for the family. Thomas Halstein was listed there in 1227 and the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273-1279 included a listing for John Halsteyn. The Subsidy Rolls of 1327 included an entry for William Halsteyn. A few years later, John de Halston was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1332. 2

Early History of the Holston family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holston research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1583, 1759 and 1847 are included under the topic Early Holston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holston Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Holston has appeared include Hailstone, Halstone, Halston, Hailston, Helistones, Ailston, Ailstone, Aylston and many more.

Early Notables of the Holston family

More information is included under the topic Early Holston Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holston Ranking

In the United States, the name Holston is the 5,581st most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 3


Holston migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Holston arrived in North America very early:

Holston Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Elizabeth Holston, who arrived in Maryland in 1651 4
  • Susan Holston, who arrived in Virginia in 1653 4
Holston Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • William Holston, who landed in Virginia in 1705 4
  • Margret Holston, aged 22, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1730 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Holston (post 1700) +

  • Michael Anthony "Mike" Holston (b. 1958), former American NFL football wide receiver who played for the Houston Oilers and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1981 to 1985
  • David Holston (b. 1986), American professional basketball player
  • George W. Holston, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for U.S. Senator from Indiana, 1944; Prohibition Candidate for U.S. Representative from Indiana 4th District, 1946 5


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, 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 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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