Surname Holland - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Exploring My Celtic Roots: How the iGENEA DNA Test Transformed My Perception of My 'Holland' Surname and Identity
Taking my iGENEA DNA test provided fascinating insights into my family roots and the ancestral journey of my surname 'Holland.' The discovery of my Celtic origins was a profound realization that brought about a new depth of understanding about my identity, enriching my sense of self and underscoring the indelible imprint of genetic heritage.
N. Holland
read moreHolland: What does the surname Holland mean?
The surname Holland has an interesting history with roots in Northern Europe. It is originally of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a region in the western Netherlands, also known as Holland. The name translates to "wood-land" or "ridge-land," referring to the geographical features of the region. During the Middle Ages, people often took their surname from the name of the place they resided in or originally came from. Therefore, those who migrated away may have carried the name Holland with them to new settlements, eventually passing it down to their descendants. Others may have adopted the name to symbolise their affinity or connection to the region, possibly for economic, political, or personal reasons. Over time, the name has spread globally and diversified, with variations and spellings seen across different cultures and countries.
Order DNA origin analysisHolland: Where does the name Holland come from?
The last name Holland has roots in the medieval period in the Netherlands, specifically in the region known as Holland. The surname came into existence as a geographic identifier for people from this region. It would often be assigned to individuals who moved from Holland to other places as a form of identification.
Typically, the surname was used to denote someone who hailed from the Dutch region of Holland, which is one of the most densely populated and industrially developed areas in the world. The word Holland itself stems from the Old Dutch term "holt lant," which translates to "wood land."
Today, the Holland surname is widely spread and is particularly prevalent in English-speaking countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It also exists in its country of origin, the Netherlands, though often in a variety of Dutch spellings. Throughout the centuries, the name has found its way across the globe due to immigration and diaspora from the Netherlands. Despite its Dutch origin, the surname is less common in the Netherlands than in the UK or USA.
Variations of the surname Holland
The surname Holland has a number of variants and spellings, some of which have emerged due to regional accents, illiteracy, and misinterpretation. Variants include Hollands, Hooland, Holand, Houland, and Hyland. Additionally, versions such as Hollan and Helland may also be encountered. Sometimes the surname can be prefixed with "De," as in "De Holland."
Holland also has equivalent or similar names in other languages, such as Hollander in Dutch and German, or O' hUallachain in Gaelic. Surnames like van Holland or Van't Holland could also be found among Dutch speakers, indicating a person who came from Holland.
Just to note, not all people with these names are necessarily related or of the same origin, as the surname could have been adopted for different reasons, such as by those who lived near holly (holen in Old English) trees, or who migrated from the region of Holland in the Netherlands. The surname, therefore, has a topographic and geographic origin.
In addition to the above, the surname Holland has been adopted by many Jews when they moved to English-speaking countries, making it a relatively common Jewish surname as well.
Famous people with the name Holland
- Tom Holland: An English actor best known for his role as Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- Willa Holland: An American actress, voice actress and model, popular for her roles in TV series like "Arrow" and "Gossip Girl".
- Jools Holland: An English pianist, bandleader, singer, composer and TV host.
- Sarah Holland: A popular British author of numerous romance novels.
- Dominique Holland: An English comedian, author and broadcaster.
- Josiah Holland: An American novelist and poet who helped to found Scribner's Monthly.
- Holland Taylor: An American actress known for her work on TV shows like "The Practice" and "Two and a Half Men".
- Thomas Holland: An English historian and translator of Herodotus and Thucydides.
- Agnieszka Holland: A Polish film and TV director and screenwriter.
- Diane Holland: An English actress famous for her role in the British comedy series "Hi-de-Hi!"
- Stan Holland: An English footballer
- Ezekiel Holland: A former American basketball player.
- Steve Holland: An English football coach.
- Derek Holland: An American professional baseball pitcher.
- John Holland: An American psychologist and renowned career development theorist.
- Luke Holland: An American drummer and YouTube personality.