Olkin History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsOlkin is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a holy man, typically a priest or friar. 1 The surname Olkin originally derived from the Old English word Hol or Hool. Another reference claims the name was derived from the Old English words "holh" + "mann" and literally meant "dweller by a hollow." 2 And another source claims the name was "a contraction of Holyman; but is more likely to be "whole man," a man of sterling mettle. It must be recollected that in medieval English whole was spelt without the w, and the commonest form of this name in the XIV. and XV. cent. is Holeman." 3 Early Origins of the Olkin familyThe surname Olkin was first found in Essex, where one of the first records of the name was John Holman, Holeman who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. 2 A search through the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 proved to be fruitful: Walter Halloman, Lincolnshire; and William Holyman, Lincolnshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included entries for Adam Holman, marchautit; and Thomas Halman. 1 The source, Feodarium Prioratus Dunelmensis (Surtees Society included an entry for Robert Halyman, Yorkshire, but no date was provided. And the Calendar of Proceedings in Chancery, temp. Elizabeth I., included an entry for Digorie Holman, temp. Elizabeth. 1 All of the aforementioned held lands in their respective shires. Early History of the Olkin familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Olkin research. Another 150 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1307, 1531, 1582, 1593, 1628, 1633, 1638, 1659, 1661, 1669, 1685, 1700 and 1730 are included under the topic Early Olkin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Olkin Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Olkin were recorded, including Holman, Hollman, Holeman and others. Early Notables of the Olkin familyNotables of the family at this time include Philip Holman (c. 1593-1669), an English merchant and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1659, High Sheriff of Northamptonshire in 1638; Philip Holman, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1633; and Sir... Migration of the Olkin family to IrelandSome of the Olkin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Olkin familyTo escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Olkin family emigrate to North America: John Holman, who settled in Nantasket, Massachusetts in 1630; William Holman settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1630; Edward Holman settled in Boston, Massachusetts in 1632.
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