Hollis

Hollis is a unisex given name and surname derived from the Middle English word holis, meaning "holly trees." The name originally referred to someone who lived near a clump of holly trees, making it a topographic name of English origin. As a given name, it maintains this natural connection, evoking images of the evergreen shrub traditionally associated with winter solstice and Christmas celebrations.

Etymology and Origin

The English surname Hollis is derived from the Middle English holis, a southern variant of holins or holynes, meaning "at the hollies" or "dweller near the holly trees." It belongs to a class of habitational or topographic surnames that describe the bearer's residence. Over time, this surname transitioned into use as a first name alongside other surname-derived given names common in English-speaking cultures.

Notable Bearers

Several individuals bear the surname Hollis, contributing to its recognition:

• Adrian Hollis (1940–2013), an English classical scholar and international correspondence chess grandmaster.
• Anthony Hollis (1927–2013), a British barrister and judge.
• George Hollis (1833–1879), a British soldier who received the Victoria Cross for bravery.
• Wayne Hollis, a test cricketer from Antigua.

As a given name, notable individuals include:

• Hollis B. Kelly, Chief of the US Army Criminal Investigation Command (2009–2011).
• Hollis Caverly, captain of the US national cricket team.

Variants

Related surnames such as Holley share the same origin as topographic names for holly trees. The given name can be spelled as Hollicomb in rare cases, though it originates from a different source.

• Meaning & Origin: From Middle English holis for "holly trees"
• Type: Unisex given name (derived from surname)
• Usage Regions: English-speaking countries
• Derived Words: Topographic term for holly