HOLY
Holy
The surname Holy is of medieval English origin. It is derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century word "holh", meaning hollow or depression, and was a topographical name given to someone who lived near a hollow or a low-lying piece of land. Alternatively, it may have originated as a locational name for a person from any of the various places called Holly, Holy, or Holley in England.
The first recorded instance of the surname Holy dates back to the early 13th century, where a William Holie was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. Variants of the surname Holy include Holley, Hollie, Holie, and Hole.
The name Holy has been widely dispersed across the United Kingdom over centuries, with notable concentrations in regions such as Yorkshire, Kent, and Sussex. Individuals bearing the surname Holy have been involved in various occupations, including agriculture, trade, and clergy.
Today, the surname Holy continues to be borne by families across the UK and beyond, with some descendants having emigrated to other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
There are approximately 74 people named Holy in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Holy.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Peter
- Zdenek
Female
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.