NameCensus.

UK surname

Holcombe

A habitational surname derived from any of the various places named Holcombe, meaning "deep valley" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 465 people recorded with the Holcombe surname, ranking it #7,144 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 775, ranked #7,102, up from #7,144 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and St Decuman, Nettlecombe, Old Cleeve, Kilton, Lilstock, Dodington, Stringston, Holford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Arun, Vale of White Horse and Bath and North East Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Holcombe is 818 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 66.7%.

1881 census count

465

Ranked #7,144

Modern count

775

2016, ranked #7,102

Peak year

1999

818 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Holcombe had 465 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,144 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 775 in 2016, ranked #7,102.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 684 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Holcombe surname distribution map

The map shows where the Holcombe surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Holcombe surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Holcombe over time

The 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 220 #9,671
1861 historical 265 #9,355
1881 historical 465 #7,144
1891 historical 543 #6,951
1901 historical 611 #6,972
1911 historical 684 #6,189
1997 modern 741 #6,944
1998 modern 794 #6,788
1999 modern 818 #6,677
2000 modern 799 #6,783
2001 modern 763 #6,900
2002 modern 783 #6,896
2003 modern 764 #6,910
2004 modern 770 #6,880
2005 modern 751 #6,952
2006 modern 748 #6,996
2007 modern 766 #6,938
2008 modern 762 #7,024
2009 modern 771 #7,089
2010 modern 792 #7,088
2011 modern 779 #7,098
2012 modern 760 #7,150
2013 modern 790 #7,036
2014 modern 778 #7,159
2015 modern 768 #7,166
2016 modern 775 #7,102

Geography

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Where Holcombes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, St Decuman, Nettlecombe, Old Cleeve, Kilton, Lilstock, Dodington, Stringston, Holford and Dulverton, Brompton Regis. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Arun, Vale of White Horse, Bath and North East Somerset and Portsmouth. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Decuman, Nettlecombe, Old Cleeve, Kilton, Lilstock, Dodington, Stringston, Holford Somerset
5 Dulverton, Brompton Regis Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Arun 014 Arun
2 Vale of White Horse 009 Vale of White Horse
3 Bath and North East Somerset 022 Bath and North East Somerset
4 Arun 017 Arun
5 Portsmouth 018 Portsmouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Holcombe

These lists show first names that appear often with the Holcombe surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Holcombe

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Holcombe, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Holcombe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Holcombe household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Holcombe is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Holcombe is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Holcombe falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Holcombe is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Holcombe, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Holcombe

The Holcombe surname originates from England, deriving its roots from the Old English words 'hol' meaning hollow or hole, and 'cumb' meaning a small valley. It is believed to have first emerged as a locational name, referring to individuals who resided in or near a small valley or hollow area.

The earliest recorded instance of the Holcombe surname dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as 'Holecumbe' in Somerset and Devon. This suggests that the name was already established in these regions during the 11th century.

Over the centuries, the name has undergone various spelling variations, including Holcomb, Holcombe, Holcumb, and Holcumbe. These variations reflect the regional dialects and phonetic changes that occurred in different parts of England.

One notable bearer of the Holcombe name was Sir John Holcombe (c. 1435-1505), a prominent English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire during the reigns of Edward IV and Henry VII.

Another renowned figure with this surname was Gervase Holcombe (1572-1647), an English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Bristol from 1618 to 1647. He played a significant role in the religious and political affairs of his time.

In the literary realm, Thomas Holcombe (1627-1658) was an English poet and playwright who gained recognition for his works, including the tragedy "The Vindictive Man" and several poems published posthumously.

Moving to the American colonies, Thomas Holcombe (1624-1657) was one of the earliest settlers of the Holcombe name in New England. He arrived in Massachusetts in 1630 and later settled in Windsor, Connecticut, where he became a prominent member of the community.

Another notable figure was Amasa Holcombe (1787-1875), an American lawyer and politician who served as a United States Senator from Connecticut from 1827 to 1835. He was also a prominent abolitionist and advocated for the abolition of slavery.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds of individuals bearing the Holcombe surname, which has been present in various regions of England and later in the American colonies, contributing to the cultural and historical fabric of these societies.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Holcombe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Holcombe surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Somerset leads with 123 Holcombes recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.85x.

County Total Index
Somerset 123 16.85x
Devon 96 10.17x
Middlesex 84 1.85x
Surrey 72 3.26x
Sussex 17 2.22x
Kent 14 0.90x
Gloucestershire 13 1.46x
Monmouthshire 9 2.74x
Durham 7 0.52x
Glamorgan 7 0.89x
Essex 4 0.45x
Lancashire 4 0.07x
Pembrokeshire 4 2.77x
Berkshire 3 0.88x
Hampshire 2 0.22x
Dorset 1 0.34x
Herefordshire 1 0.54x
Hertfordshire 1 0.32x
Lanarkshire 1 0.07x
Worcestershire 1 0.17x
Yorkshire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Williton in Somerset leads with 40 Holcombes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1632.65x.

Place Total Index
Williton 40 1632.65x
Lambeth 25 6.32x
Camberwell 19 6.56x
Bedminster 16 23.32x
Wellow 16 744.19x
Crediton 12 134.08x
St Marylebone London 12 4.96x
Charterhouse Hinton 11 1279.07x
Battersea 10 5.99x
Ifield 10 313.48x
Chudleigh 9 300.00x
Croydon 9 7.34x
Hornsey 9 15.69x
Dulverton 8 373.83x
Ilminster 8 156.86x
Mariansleigh 8 2352.94x
Mile End Old Town London 8 8.29x
Woolwich 8 13.99x
Clerkenwell London 7 6.54x
Holmside 7 210.21x
Kensington London 7 2.78x
Keynsham 7 133.59x
Willesden 7 16.37x
Exeter St Sidwell 6 27.75x
South Molton 6 115.61x
St George Hanover Square 6 7.51x
Washfield 6 967.74x
Westbury On Trym 6 19.91x
Brighton 5 3.24x
Cullompton 5 121.36x
Exeter St Mary Major 5 87.87x
Hampstead London 5 7.08x
Islington London 5 1.14x
Lower Llanvrechva 5 155.28x
Wolborough 5 41.88x
Bethnal Green London 4 2.03x
Bristol St Paul In 4 16.88x
Colaton Raleigh 4 341.88x
Kingsteignton 4 152.09x
Llandaff 4 15.22x
St Decumans Williton 4 5714.29x
Trevethin 4 12.92x
Westminster St James 4 8.58x
Witheridge 4 251.57x
Bampton 3 103.81x
Brushford 3 588.24x
Exeter St David 3 37.17x
Newington 3 1.79x
Shaw Cum Donnington 3 275.23x
Tenby St Mary In 3 40.87x
Tiverton 3 18.45x
Toxteth Park 3 1.65x
West Ham 3 1.52x
Ystradyfodwg 3 4.33x
Chelsea London 2 1.46x
Curland 2 689.66x
Edmonton 2 5.47x
Epsom 2 18.57x
Penge 2 6.90x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 2.75x
St Anne Soho London 2 7.72x
St Pancras London 2 0.55x
Allensmore 1 111.11x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 1 1.19x
Chislehurst 1 12.05x
East Barnet 1 16.13x
Exford 1 140.85x
Exminster 1 29.41x
Godalming 1 7.19x
Hastings St Mary 1 5.25x
Lee 1 4.45x
Leigh 1 13.91x
Lewisham 1 1.21x
Narberth North 1 38.91x
Newhaven 1 16.10x
Prittlewell 1 8.06x
Reigate Foreign 1 4.18x
St Decumans Watchet 1 54.05x
Tonbridge 1 1.79x
West Teignmouth 1 13.85x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Holcombe surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 25
Elizabeth 23
Sarah 14
Jane 11
Annie 9
Ellen 9
Emma 9
Alice 8
Eliza 8
Ann 6
Hannah 6
Harriet 5
Charlotte 4
Edith 4
Emily 4
Florence 3
Kate 3
Maria 3
Susan 3
Ada 2
Agnes 2
Amelia 2
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Ethel 2
Fanny 2
Lilly 2
Margaret 2
Rosa 2
Rose 2
Sophia 2
Amy 1
Betsy 1
Clauda 1
Constance 1
Elizth 1
Elizth. 1
Elizth.M. 1
Eunice 1
Flora 1
Frances 1
Hester 1
Hilda 1
Honor 1
Honora 1
Janet 1
Jannet 1
Laura 1
Lilian 1
Lucretia 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Holcombe surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 28
John 24
Charles 19
James 15
George 13
Robert 12
Henry 10
Thomas 9
Frederick 8
Alfred 7
Joseph 6
Albert 5
Edward 5
Walter 5
Arthur 4
Frank 4
Harry 4
Herbert 4
Edgar 3
Edwin 3
Jacob 3
Samuel 3
Wm. 3
Ambrose 2
Francis 2
Jno. 2
Nicholas 2
Richard 2
Charlie 1
Edwd. 1
Emma 1
Ernest 1
Ferdinand 1
Frances 1
Fred 1
Fred. 1
Hobart 1
Isaac 1
Issac 1
Jas. 1
Johnathan 1
Jos.J. 1
Laurence 1
Lawrence 1
Mary 1
Nathanuel 1
Oliver 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Robt.Walter 1

FAQ

Holcombe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Holcombe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 465 people were recorded with the Holcombe surname. That placed it at #7,144 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Holcombe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 775 in 2016. That gives Holcombe a modern rank of #7,102.

What does the Holcombe surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from any of the various places named Holcombe, meaning "deep valley" in Old English.

What does the Holcombe map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Holcombe bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.