UK surname
An English place name derived from either 'hole-by' or a personal name.
In the 1881 census there were 36 people recorded with the Holby surname, ranking it #28,559 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 56, ranked #34,562, down from #28,559 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Tythby, Witham and Thorpe-le-Soken. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Holby is 105 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 55.6%.
1881 census count
36
Ranked #28,559
Modern count
56
2016, ranked #34,562
Peak year
1911
105 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Holby surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Holby surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 50 | #24,274 |
| 1861 | historical | 95 | #21,768 |
| 1881 | historical | 36 | #28,559 |
| 1891 | historical | 95 | #24,694 |
| 1901 | historical | 77 | #25,627 |
| 1911 | historical | 105 | #22,064 |
| 1997 | modern | 62 | #31,412 |
| 1998 | modern | 68 | #31,181 |
| 1999 | modern | 64 | #31,692 |
| 2000 | modern | 62 | #31,939 |
| 2001 | modern | 64 | #31,602 |
| 2002 | modern | 65 | #31,903 |
| 2003 | modern | 66 | #31,879 |
| 2004 | modern | 66 | #32,079 |
| 2005 | modern | 62 | #32,708 |
| 2006 | modern | 58 | #33,433 |
| 2007 | modern | 58 | #33,731 |
| 2008 | modern | 59 | #33,827 |
| 2009 | modern | 63 | #33,751 |
| 2010 | modern | 65 | #33,863 |
| 2011 | modern | 59 | #34,265 |
| 2012 | modern | 61 | #34,228 |
| 2013 | modern | 56 | #34,581 |
| 2014 | modern | 56 | #34,601 |
| 2015 | modern | 54 | #34,675 |
| 2016 | modern | 56 | #34,562 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Tythby, Witham, Thorpe-le-Soken, Clifton and St Philip and Jacob. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tythby | Nottinghamshire |
| 2 | Witham | Essex |
| 3 | Thorpe-le-Soken | Essex |
| 4 | Clifton | Gloucestershire |
| 5 | St Philip and Jacob | Gloucestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Holby surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Holby, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Holby surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Holby household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Holby is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Holby is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Holby, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Holby is of English origin, originating in the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "hol" meaning "hollow" and "by" meaning "settlement" or "village". Essentially, Holby refers to a village or settlement located in a hollow or low-lying area.
The name is recorded in various historical records, including the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Holebi". This reference suggests that the name was already well-established by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.
One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Holby was Richard de Holby, who lived in Lincolnshire, England, in the 13th century. Another early bearer of the name was John Holby, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1301.
In the 16th century, the name was recorded in various spellings, such as Holbie, Holbye, and Holbey. During this period, a notable figure with the surname was William Holby (c. 1520-1590), who was a member of the English gentry and held land in Warwickshire.
The 17th century saw the rise of Thomas Holby (1615-1678), a prominent English lawyer and writer who authored several legal treatises. His work helped shape the development of English common law.
In the 18th century, the name Holby was associated with several notable figures, including John Holby (1722-1795), a successful merchant and philanthropist in London, and Samuel Holby (1738-1819), a renowned architect who designed several churches and public buildings in the city.
Moving into the 19th century, one of the most famous individuals with the surname Holby was Sir William Holby (1801-1887), a British politician and statesman who served as a member of Parliament and held several important government positions.
Throughout its history, the surname Holby has been closely tied to various place names in England, such as Holby Hill in Oxfordshire, Holby Green in Hertfordshire, and Holby Manor in Gloucestershire. These place names likely originated from the same Old English roots as the surname itself.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Holby surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Essex leads with 14 Holbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.66x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Essex | 14 | 19.66x |
| Devon | 4 | 5.33x |
| Durham | 4 | 3.73x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.84x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 2.51x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.55x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.77x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 1.41x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 2.50x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.86x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 2.06x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 23.26x |
| Somerset | 1 | 1.72x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.64x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Witham in Essex leads with 6 Holbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1621.62x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Witham | 6 | 1621.62x |
| West Ham | 4 | 25.45x |
| Birkenhead | 2 | 31.50x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 2 | 21.72x |
| Plymouth Charles The | 2 | 60.42x |
| Thorpe Le Soken | 2 | 3333.33x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 6.38x |
| Eaton | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Horton In Bradford | 1 | 17.92x |
| Hove | 1 | 37.45x |
| Islington London | 1 | 2.86x |
| Kingstonupon Hull | 1 | 344.83x |
| Newcastle On Tyne All Sts | 1 | 31.15x |
| Norton | 1 | 212.77x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 1 | 17.27x |
| Ratcliffe On Soar | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Romford | 1 | 88.50x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 27.17x |
| Ryton | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Stranton | 1 | 27.70x |
| Sunderland | 1 | 52.63x |
| Thorpe | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Tormoham | 1 | 31.45x |
| Twerton | 1 | 166.67x |
| Tytherington | 1 | 2000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Holby surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Holby surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 36 people were recorded with the Holby surname. That placed it at #28,559 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 56 in 2016. That gives Holby a modern rank of #34,562.
An English place name derived from either 'hole-by' or a personal name.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Holby bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.