Surname Holladay - Meaning and Origin
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Holladay: What does the surname Holladay mean?
The last name Holladay is of English origin and is derived from the Anglo-Saxon name ‘Holland’. The name is believed to have originated from a group of medieval English families who resided in the area of Holland, which is now part of Lincolnshire. The family name is believed to have initially referred to a group of people who lived near the River Holland.
The earliest recorded use of the surname Holladay dates back to 1273 when one William de Holaande was recorded in the court rolls of Sussex. The name has since spread throughout the world, particularly to the United States during the great migration of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Holladay is a derivative of the old English word "hlōd dōg", which literally translates as "glory day". This suggests that the Holladay family may have once been renowned for some rather glorious accomplishments.
The Holladay family is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon descent and their coat of arms consists of three gold roses on a red shield, surrounded by a border of silver and gold. It is believed that this crest was first used hundreds of years ago, and originated as a symbol of loyalty and fidelity.
The Holladay family has many notable members throughout the years, including writer Kay Holladay, volleyball player Tricia Holladay, and jazz musician Aubrey Holladay. In addition, the Holladay Distillery, founded in 1885, is named after the Holladay family and is currently one of the oldest whisky distilleries in South Wales.
Order DNA origin analysisHolladay: Where does the name Holladay come from?
The last name Holladay is most common in the United States today. According to the US Census Bureau, it is the 5,388th most common surname in America, with around 17,000 people having it in the US as of the 2010 Census. It is more commonly found in towns and cities in the southeast, especially in Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama.
However, Holladay is an old English name that is believed to have originated in Yorkshire, England, and has since spread to countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In those countries, it is still relatively uncommon, with Australia having the most Holladays outside of the US. In the United Kingdom, the surname is too rare to track any meaningful statistics.
In the United States, the name Holladay first became prominent in the 18th century, as English settlers started to expand out across the east coast, with the very first recorded bearer of the name being Robert Holladay, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1720. It is likely the name has been passed down since then over multiple generations.
Variations of the surname Holladay
The surname Holladay has different variants and spellings, which can be broken down into three primary categories: native English variants, native Irish variants, and Scottish variants.
Native English variants of the surname Holladay include Holladay, Holladaye, Halliday, and Holliday, as well as variants that incorporate an extra “e” such as Holladaye. The English variants of Holladay are likely derived from the Old English personal name “Heardwold”.
Native Irish variants of the surname Holladay include Haliday, Halladay, and Holaday. These variants are believed to have originated from the Irish surname “Ó hUallacháin”, which denotes families originating from County Tipperary in Ireland.
Scottish variants of the surname Holladay include Halleday, Haliday, Haladays, and Halladays. These variants are thought to be derived from the Scottish surname “Halladie”, which possibly originates from either Scotland’s northeastern counties or the Hebrides Islands.
Given the different origins and spellings of the surname Holladay, it is likely that there are many more variants and surnames of the same origin. It is important to remember, however, that due to the different origins and spellings of the name, the approximate meaning and origin may vary.
Famous people with the name Holladay
- Jordan Holladay: American actress, known for Contact (1997), The NewLeave It to Beaver (1985) and Minor Adjustments (1995).
- Joshua Holladay: Singer-songwriter who has toured with a variety of popular artists such as Dick Eastman and Jamie O’Neal.
- Todd Holladay: Hollywood-based producer and president of TNT original programming.
- Amanda Holladay: American academic artificial intelligence researcher and professor at Colorado State University.
- Randall Holladay: Award-winning actor, best known for his role in the Broadway play Lost in Yonkers and his turn as a judge on the Fox reality show American Idol.
- Larry Holladay: American professional golf player who won three PGA Tour events in the 1970s.
- Jacob Holladay: Founder and CEO of Holladay Group, a family-owned and operated construction, real estate and development business based in Georgia.
- Major Margaret M. Holladay: U.S. Army officer and Nurse Corps Officer of the Year in 1998.
- Jay Holladay: Cartoonist, creator and illustrator of the popular comic strip Pooch Café.
- Anthony Holladay: Former British army officer and military historian, known for his books on Napoleonic war campaigns.