Surname: HOLLIER
I found this [my] surname in Kate Monk's Onomastikon under England and then tradenames. I'm just curious as to what exactly a Hollier's job is. It's not a word in the dictionary, so I'm assuming that it's a derivitive of another occupational name.Any ideas? I'd like to know what my ancestor did for a living [one of 'em had to have done]. :-D
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Hmmm...There is a site dedicated to my last name, I have found, but the creator seems more interested in compiling a list of everyone with the surname- EVER- than to researching its etymology/onomastics.
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I'm sorry but...Apparently (and I'm not making this up) is the occupational name for a brothel keeper. From the Middle English and Old French 'hol(l)ier'. Although it may have also been just an abusive nickname. But it's an interesting surname all the same, better than just being a Smith or Brown. :)---------------------------------------
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This message was edited 7/28/2005, 4:53 AM

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I'll take it!Thanks! I was beginning to think Kate was wrong [in listing it under trade names]. I have seen some other definitions of the name- "by the holly tree"- but none of them were occupations. Perhaps it was just a nickname for a brothel keeper, but it's true etymology is mundane :-(I was just curious, because whatever the occupation, I am the true one. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't a True rentboy or anything. Ironic [I think].
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