Holt

Recorded in over forty spelling forms including Holt, Hoult (England),

Holte, Holtzer, Holzer, Holzmann, Holtmann, Holting (Germany), Holdt and

Holten (Danish and Norwegian, Hult (Swedish) and various compounds such

as Holeberg (German) and Hultberg (Swedish) both meaning Wood Hill, the

origin is probably either pre 7th century English or German or perhaps

both. It can be either topographical or locational. As the former, the

name was given to someone who lived in or by a wood or copse, derived

from the word "holt", meaning wood. Topographical surnames were among

the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the

landscape provided easily recognisable distinguishing names in the small

communities of the Middle Ages. As a locational surname Holt may come

from any of the numerous places named ''Holt, found throughout the

English countryside and in Northern Europe. The surname was an early

introduction into America, with Randall Holt being recorded as being a

resident at James City, Virginia, in 1623. He arrived on the ship

"George" in 1620, the same year as the famous Pilgrim Fathers. The first

known recording of the family name anywhere in the world is shown to be

that of Hugo de Holte. This was dated 1185, in the records of the Knight

Templars of England, Kent, during the reign of King Henry 11nd, 1154 -

1189. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued

to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original

spelling.