Show ContentsHolternesse History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Holternesse belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived in the Holderness district in the East Riding of Yorkshire. It is now found in the county of Humberside. The place-name is derived from the Old Scandinavian words holdr, a landholding held by a member of the yeomanry, and nes, a promontory or headland.

Early Origins of the Holternesse family

The surname Holternesse was first found in East Riding of Yorkshire at Skipsea. "The manor is one of those which have continued members of the seigniory of Holderness to the present day. In the 12th of Edward III., the king granted a market to the place, to be held on Thursday in every week, and two fairs to be held annually, one on All Saints' day, and the other on the day of the translation of St. Thomas the Martyr." 1

Early History of the Holternesse family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holternesse research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Holternesse History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holternesse 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 Holternesse include Holderness, Holdernesse, Houlderness and others.

Early Notables of the Holternesse family

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

Migration of the Holternesse 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 Holternesse were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Henry Holdernesse arrived in Philadelphia in 1807; Edward and William Holderness settled in Philadelphia in 1820.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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