Map of England showing where the Hollis arms are recorded
The Hollis arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1550.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Edward VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Edward VI of England
1547–1553
Reigning in England when the Hollis 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Hollis Family in England
The surname Hollis is primarily rooted in the English landscape, serving as a topographic name for individuals who lived near a holly tree or a grove of holly bushes. By the middle of the sixteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Lincoln. During this era, the name appeared frequently in local parish registers and civic documents, suggesting that the Hollis family played an active role in the social and economic life of the region. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local community through trades and land ownership. This early settlement in Lincoln provided a foundation for the name to spread throughout England as subsequent generations moved into new towns and cities.
Hollis Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Holle
Old English word for a hollow or a sunken valley.
This name
HollisA topographical name for someone who lived near a hollow or a holly tree.
also spelled
Holles
Hollys
Related arms
Hollesvariant spelling
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln St. Mary le Wigford Parish Registers, 1550–1600
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
