Holness
I remember seeing on Challenge this very week that they were showing non stop episodes of Blockbusters as a tribute to its host Bob Holness who died the day before, but Holness isn't on the list. Is it an African name? I'm sure I remember reading that he was born in Africa, but what is its meaning?
vote up1vote down

Replies

Holness is thought to be from the lost placename Holmherst in Smarden (Kent), from Old English holegn ‘holly’ and hyrst ‘hillock, copse’.
vote up1vote down
I always assumed it derived from the East Yorkshire district of Holderness.
vote up1vote down
Seems like that's also a possibility according to the information at tinyurl.com/yjtno9y4.
vote up1vote down
Thanks for the link.
vote up1vote down