Map of England showing where the Holladay arms are recorded
The Holladay arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1605.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Holladay arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Holladay Family in England
The surname Holladay is a variant of the name Holliday, which historically served as a descriptive nickname for individuals born on a holy day or a religious festival. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in England, with records confirming their residence in Middlesex by 1605. During this era, the name was often spelled in various ways, such as Halliday or Holyday, reflecting the phonetic nature of record-keeping before standardized spelling became common. Families bearing this name were often involved in local commerce and trade, which allowed them to integrate into the social fabric of growing urban centers like London. As the family expanded throughout the British Isles, they maintained a reputation for being industrious members of their communities, eventually spreading their influence across the Atlantic as part of the early waves of migration to the American colonies.
Holladay Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Haligdaeg
Old English for holy day.
This name
HolladayA topographic name for someone who lived near a holy day or a nickname for someone born on a holiday.
also spelled
Hollyday
Holladay
Holyday
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Middlesex Sessions Records, 1605
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
helmetWisdom and security in defence
bordureA difference between branches of one family
helmetWisdom and security in defence
