Hollebon Family History

of uncertain origin but probably from one of the following places: Hollingbourne (Kent) with reduction of Holling- to Holle- Hollo- and -bourne to -bon; or Holybourne (Hants) with reduction of -bourne to -bon; or a lost Holbeam (Howbeam or Holbean) in Ticehurst (Sussex) which by folk etymology may have been altered in the surname to Hollebon(e) Hollobone etc. Evidence for this is suggested in John Howbeame 1598 Elisabeth Hollebon 1617 in IGI (Pevensey Sussex) but these could be two different surnames coinciding in the same parish. For early evidence of surnames known to derive from from each of these places see (2) -3 and (4). The following bearers no doubt belong with one of these three but it has not been possible to prove which.

from Hollingbourne (Kent) which is recorded as Holingeburna about 975. The place-name derives from an Old English personal name *Hōla or Old English hol ‘hole hollow’ + the Old English group-name suffix -ingas (genitive -inga-) + burna ‘spring stream’. from Holybourne (Hants) close to the Surrey border which is recorded as Haliburne in 1086 and derives from Old English *hālig ‘holy’ + burna ‘spring stream’.

However some late instances with -bourn such as William Hollybourn 1778 in IGI (Willingdon Sussex) may be variants of the name in (1) from (2) or (4). Compare John Hollebon 1799 in IGI (Willingdon Sussex). The 1697 example could alternatively belong with Holborn.

from a locality in Ticehurst (Sussex) called Holbeme (Old English hol oblique case holan ‘hollow’ + Old English bēam ‘tree’) recorded in holanbeames mearce 1018 in Place-Names of Sussex. The tree was probably used in parish perambulations as a boundary mark (Old English mearc ‘boundary’).

The place-name survives in Holbeanwood in Ticehurst (Holbeam Wode 1479) and the surname is recalled in Holban's Farm in Heathfield (Sussex).