Olister History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Olister

What does the name Olister mean?

The name Olister is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived at the village of Hollister in the county of Wiltshire. Some note that the name may have been derived from the Old English word holegn which means holly. If this is the case, the name would still be a local name but would refer to a person who lived by a cluster of holly trees.

Early Origins of the Olister family

The surname Olister was first found in Wiltshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Olister family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Olister research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Olister History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Olister Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Olister are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Olister include: Hollister, Holister and others.

Early Notables of the Olister family

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

Migration of the Olister family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Olister or a variant listed above: John Hollister who settled in Connecticut in 1630; another John Hollister settled in New England in 1755; Edward Hollister settled in Virginia in 1663.

The Olister Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Currendo
Motto Translation: Running