UK surname
From a hollow or sunken area.
In the 1881 census there were 39 people recorded with the Holoway surname, ranking it #28,137 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 37, ranked #35,582, down from #28,137 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Rowley Regis and St Leonard Shoreditch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Holoway is 112 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 5.1%.
1881 census count
39
Ranked #28,137
Modern count
37
2016, ranked #35,582
Peak year
1861
112 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Holoway surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Holoway 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 | 80 | #19,558 |
| 1861 | historical | 112 | #19,279 |
| 1881 | historical | 39 | #28,137 |
| 1891 | historical | 89 | #25,542 |
| 1901 | historical | 38 | #29,914 |
| 1911 | historical | 62 | #26,622 |
| 1997 | modern | 67 | #30,915 |
| 1998 | modern | 66 | #31,387 |
| 1999 | modern | 55 | #32,561 |
| 2000 | modern | 51 | #32,999 |
| 2001 | modern | 49 | #33,048 |
| 2002 | modern | 46 | #33,631 |
| 2003 | modern | 45 | #33,803 |
| 2004 | modern | 41 | #34,306 |
| 2005 | modern | 39 | #34,652 |
| 2006 | modern | 43 | #34,647 |
| 2007 | modern | 38 | #35,153 |
| 2008 | modern | 39 | #35,191 |
| 2009 | modern | 39 | #35,321 |
| 2010 | modern | 37 | #35,566 |
| 2011 | modern | 34 | #35,705 |
| 2012 | modern | 34 | #35,711 |
| 2013 | modern | 34 | #35,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 37 | #35,616 |
| 2015 | modern | 37 | #35,593 |
| 2016 | modern | 37 | #35,582 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Rowley Regis, St Leonard Shoreditch and Heckfield. 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 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | Rowley Regis | Staffordshire |
| 3 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Heckfield | Hampshire |
| 5 | London parishes | London 3 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Holoway 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 Holoway, 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 Holoway surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Holoway 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, Holoway 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 Holoway is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Holoway, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname HOLOWAY is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from a locational name in England. It is believed to have originated in the region of Holloway, a district in the London Borough of Islington. The name is composed of two Old English elements: 'hol' meaning 'hollow' and 'weg' meaning 'way' or 'road', indicating a hollow or sunken road.
The earliest recorded mention of the name HOLOWAY can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'Holewei'. This historical document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the names and places of that era.
During the 12th century, the name HOLOWAY is found in various historical records, including the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire and the Curia Regis Rolls. These rolls document legal proceedings and financial transactions, shedding light on the lives and activities of individuals bearing this surname.
One notable figure bearing the HOLOWAY surname was Sir John Holoway (c. 1495-1563), a prominent English politician and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He played a significant role in the reformation of the Church of England and was known for his staunch Protestant beliefs.
Another individual of historical significance was William Holoway (1598-1677), an English clergyman and author. He served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Warwick and was known for his religious writings, including "The Doctrine of the Sabbath" published in 1650.
In the 18th century, the HOLOWAY surname was associated with Edward Holoway (1723-1789), a renowned English architect. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings, including the Royal Pavilion in Brighton and the Church of St. John the Baptist in Shepperton.
The 19th century saw the rise of Samuel Holoway (1832-1904), a British industrialist and philanthropist. He made his fortune in the textile industry and used his wealth to establish the Holoway Foundation, which supported education and social welfare initiatives in his hometown.
Throughout its history, the HOLOWAY surname has undergone various spelling variations, such as Holloway, Hollowell, and Holowaye, reflecting the evolution of language and regional dialects over time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Holoway 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. Wiltshire leads with 10 Holoways recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.73x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Wiltshire | 10 | 29.73x |
| Staffordshire | 6 | 4.67x |
| Monmouthshire | 5 | 18.18x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 1.05x |
| Sussex | 4 | 6.24x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.66x |
| Somerset | 3 | 4.90x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 2.38x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.28x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.77x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edington in Wiltshire leads with 6 Holoways recorded in 1881 and an index of 5000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Edington | 6 | 5000.00x |
| Rowley Regis | 6 | 167.60x |
| Llantrissent | 5 | 16666.67x |
| Stanmer | 4 | 20000.00x |
| Axbridge | 3 | 5000.00x |
| Coombe Bissett | 3 | 6000.00x |
| Garston | 3 | 225.56x |
| Chester St Oswald | 2 | 131.58x |
| Hornsey | 2 | 41.58x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 9.46x |
| Christchurch | 1 | 59.17x |
| Lewisham | 1 | 14.45x |
| Stert | 1 | 5000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Holoway 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 Holoway surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 39 people were recorded with the Holoway surname. That placed it at #28,137 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 37 in 2016. That gives Holoway a modern rank of #35,582.
From a hollow or sunken area.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Holoway 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.