UK surname
A surname of English origin derived from the place name Holland, referring to someone from that region.
In the 1881 census there were 23 people recorded with the Hollan surname, ranking it #30,339 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 12, ranked #37,385, down from #30,339 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Woodhorn, Govan Combination and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hollan is 121 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 47.8%.
1881 census count
23
Ranked #30,339
Modern count
12
2016, ranked #37,385
Peak year
1861
121 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hollan surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hollan surname density by area, 1861 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 | 59 | #22,756 |
| 1861 | historical | 121 | #18,148 |
| 1881 | historical | 23 | #30,339 |
| 1891 | historical | 85 | #26,080 |
| 1901 | historical | 30 | #30,724 |
| 1911 | historical | 71 | #25,742 |
| 1997 | modern | 66 | #31,038 |
| 1998 | modern | 47 | #33,197 |
| 1999 | modern | 41 | #33,866 |
| 2000 | modern | 30 | #34,885 |
| 2001 | modern | 17 | #36,053 |
| 2002 | modern | 13 | #36,570 |
| 2003 | modern | 15 | #36,415 |
| 2004 | modern | 16 | #36,439 |
| 2005 | modern | 15 | #36,621 |
| 2006 | modern | 14 | #36,801 |
| 2007 | modern | 15 | #36,793 |
| 2008 | modern | 13 | #37,056 |
| 2009 | modern | 16 | #36,850 |
| 2010 | modern | 19 | #36,687 |
| 2011 | modern | 14 | #37,115 |
| 2012 | modern | 9 | #37,614 |
| 2013 | modern | 11 | #37,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 13 | #37,256 |
| 2015 | modern | 11 | #37,467 |
| 2016 | modern | 12 | #37,385 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Woodhorn, Govan Combination, Manchester, Bothal and Paisley Abbey. 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 | Woodhorn | Northumberland |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Bothal | Northumberland |
| 5 | Paisley Abbey | Renfrew |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hollan 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 Hollan, 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 Hollan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hollan 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, Hollan 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 Hollan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hollan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hollan has its origins in the Netherlands, specifically in the region of Holland. It emerged in the early Middle Ages, around the 10th or 11th century. The name is derived from the Old Dutch word "hol," meaning "hollow" or "hole," and "land," meaning "land." This combination likely referred to someone who lived in or near a low-lying area or a depression in the landscape.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Hollan can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of medieval documents from the Netherlands, dating back to the 11th century. It mentions a person named Gerardus de Hollan, suggesting the name's usage at that time.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Hollant, Hollende, and Hollanda, reflecting the linguistic evolution of the region. During this period, the name was associated with several prominent figures, including Sir John de Hollan, a knight who served under King Edward I of England in the late 13th century.
The Hollan surname gained further recognition in the 15th century with the birth of Philips Hollan (1449-1504), a Dutch Renaissance painter known for his portraits and religious works. Another notable figure was Jan Hollan (1522-1585), a Dutch theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation.
In the 17th century, the name Hollan gained prominence with the birth of Pieter Hollan (1619-1680), a Dutch Golden Age painter renowned for his depictions of landscapes and seascapes. His works are celebrated for their attention to detail and their ability to capture the essence of Dutch life during that era.
The 18th century saw the emergence of Hendrick Hollan (1742-1810), a Dutch-born American painter who became known for his portraits of prominent figures in the United States, including several presidents and founding fathers.
Throughout history, the Hollan surname has been associated with various occupations and professions, including artists, scholars, theologians, and military personnel, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hollan 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. Renfrewshire leads with 6 Hollans recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.50x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Renfrewshire | 6 | 34.50x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 2.25x |
| Ayrshire | 2 | 11.91x |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 5.69x |
| Kent | 2 | 2.61x |
| Angus | 1 | 4.81x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 2.56x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.38x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 2.79x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 3.00x |
| Sussex | 1 | 2.64x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Paisley High Church in Renfrewshire leads with 6 Hollans recorded in 1881 and an index of 434.78x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Paisley High Church | 6 | 434.78x |
| Northowram | 4 | 256.41x |
| Dreghorn | 2 | 666.67x |
| Whittington | 2 | 408.16x |
| Chislehurst | 1 | 243.90x |
| Halifax | 1 | 30.67x |
| Horsham | 1 | 136.99x |
| Jesmond | 1 | 212.77x |
| Liff Benvie | 1 | 31.65x |
| Long Bennington | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Padiham | 1 | 156.25x |
| Penarth | 1 | 263.16x |
| St Mary Cray | 1 | 666.67x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hollan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 23 people were recorded with the Hollan surname. That placed it at #30,339 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 12 in 2016. That gives Hollan a modern rank of #37,385.
A surname of English origin derived from the place name Holland, referring to someone from that region.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hollan 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.