HOLE
Hole is a surname of English origin that has been established in the British Isles for many centuries. It is categorised as a locational or topographic name, arising from the Old English word holh, which denotes a hollow or depression in the landscape.
The name may have been applied to individuals who resided in a natural cavity or low-lying area, or to those who were associated with a place that was itself named Hole. Places bearing this designation exist in Devon, Cornwall and other counties within England, and the surname reflects this geographic connection.
In medieval documentation the surname appears for the first time in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a man called Robert de Hola is recorded in Buckinghamshire. The suffix -de indicates a locational link, confirming the habitational character of the name at that period.
During the Middle Ages villages frequently named their dwellings or local features after prominent topographic elements. Therefore the surname Hole was a natural choice for those living near a notable hollow, valley or ravine.
The distribution of the surname within the United Kingdom shows a pronounced concentration in the counties of Lancashire and Northamptonshire, with an additional cluster found in the former county of East Lothian in Scotland. These concentrations are consistent with the geographical meaning of the name.
Several orthographic variants have been documented, reflecting regional pronunciation differences and the evolution of spelling over time. These include Holl, Holle, Hool, Houle, Howle and Howell. In the United States, early settlers such as William and Roger Hole emigrated from Ipswich, Suffolk in 1633 to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, further spreading the name overseas.
More recently, the name has been borne by individuals who have made significant contributions to history and society. One such person was the Auschwitz survivor Erika Hasz Hole (1928‑2018), who endured the atrocities of Auschwitz and Sachsenhausen concentration camps. Her story, though tragic, highlights the resilience that is often associated with bearers of the surname.
In contemporary times the surname has spread to other English‑speaking nations, notably the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In the United States, the largest concentration of individuals with the surname is found in Pennsylvania.
Sociocultural associations with the name include a reputation for industriousness, a strong work ethic and a sense of pride in one’s heritage. These traits are reflected in the historical accounts of settlers and in the contemporary community engagement of those who carry the name.
Related surnames of similar topographic origin include Holloway, Hollingsworth, Holroyd, Holman, Holliday, Holloman and Holyfield. The original spelling of the surname in some German records is shown as Hohl, a form that can still be found in Germany today.
According to recent demographic studies, the surname Hole is now less common in the United Kingdom and the United States, yet it persists in certain regions of Europe, particularly Germany, and maintains a presence in the aforementioned English‑speaking countries.
Typical given names associated with the Hole surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Caroline
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Jacqueline
- Jennifer
- Julie
- Kathryn
- Margaret
- Mary
- Rebecca
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Hoal
- Hohl
- Hola
- Holec
- Hold
- Hoaley
- Hoel
- Ohle
- Hol
- Holes
- Holey
- Holi
- Holl
- Holla
- Holley
- Holli
- Hollie
- Hollo
- Holls
- Holy
- Holye
- Holz
- Hoole
- Howl
- Howley
- Howlie
- Howll
- Howls
- Whole
- Wholey
- Hoale
- Hohly
- Holah
- Holb
- Holce
- Holde
- Holek
- Holem
- Holen
- Holer
- Holet
- Holewa
- Holf
- Holle
- Holly
- Holm
- Holme
- Holmes
- Holn
- Holne
- Holnes
- Holse
- Holt
- Holte
- Holve
- Holze
- Howly
- Hail
- Halai
- Hall
- Halle
- Heale
- Heil
- Hele
- Hill
- Howle
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Hole in...
Braille
⠓⠕⠇⠑
Morse
....---.-...
Semaphore
There are approximately 4,040 people named Hole in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,316th most common surname in Britain. Around 62 in a million people in Britain are named Hole.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Hole
- William Hole - Artist (1846 to 1917)
- Dave Hole - Australian slide guitarist
- Billy Hole - Football player
- Barrie Hole - Welsh football player (1942 to 1)
- Stuart Hole - Cricketer
- Michael Hole - Jockey (1941 to 1976)
- Fred Hole - Art director (1935 to 2011)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.