Holly Surname

31,621st
Most Common
surname in the World

Approximately 16,881 people bear this surname

Most prevalent in:
United States
Highest density in:
Ireland

Holly Surname Definition:

This name in Ireland is seldom of English origin. In Kerry it is the anglicized form of Mac Cuilinn by translation. In Ulster it is an occasional synonym of MacQuillan. SIF 90

Holly Surname Distribution Map

PlaceIncidenceFrequencyRank in Area
United States12,3231:29,4133,648
England7171:77,7108,734
Germany5671:141,98517,168
Australia5551:48,6416,064
Canada5101:72,2468,213
Austria3201:26,6114,200
Ireland3081:15,2891,724
Ivory Coast2221:103,9245,347
Slovakia1321:40,4287,538
Hungary1241:79,1647,974
Wales1031:30,0443,055
Nigeria791:2,242,31376,227
New Zealand741:61,1949,493
Czechia731:145,66422,715
Poland701:542,98251,331
Haiti681:157,1166,572
Iraq631:555,8998,855
South Africa591:918,26658,838
Tanzania531:998,89845,319
Russia461:3,133,110167,157
France441:1,509,607143,950
China341:40,215,3402,154
Indonesia341:3,889,682201,134
United Arab Emirates331:277,64519,302
Northern Ireland301:61,5014,735
Scotland181:297,43413,849
Papua New Guinea171:479,63060,627
Brazil121:17,839,528311,080
India111:69,733,217610,955
Netherlands101:1,688,71881,846
Switzerland101:821,29253,588
Egypt91:10,215,08448,153
Ghana91:3,002,29911,581
Sweden91:1,094,08481,336
Belgium81:1,437,08092,692
Philippines81:12,654,778228,986
Italy71:8,736,670118,213
Palestine71:649,83613,939
Uganda71:5,577,040114,218
Belarus61:1,583,51089,472
Qatar61:393,00055,922
Thailand61:11,773,058553,295
Malawi41:4,279,77724,060
Singapore41:1,376,92628,409
Israel31:2,852,545113,505
Jersey31:33,0674,675
Trinidad and Tobago31:454,65814,297
Uruguay31:1,143,91935,564
Yemen31:8,808,43135,773
Benin21:5,167,80184,334
Greece21:5,539,895129,142
Japan21:63,922,14662,827
Kazakhstan21:8,841,248174,813
Kenya21:23,089,95083,168
Malaysia21:14,747,112316,340
Mexico21:62,063,10283,384
Algeria11:38,631,551130,422
Argentina11:42,743,414282,706
Armenia11:2,930,18022,770
Azerbaijan11:9,649,12247,873
Bangladesh11:159,356,77326,077
Barbados11:287,4482,772
Burkina Faso11:18,352,10030,051
Cambodia11:15,487,14614,824
Cameroon11:20,769,068227,406
Chile11:17,616,47493,597
Dominican Republic11:10,432,93236,508
DR Congo11:73,879,570260,543
Ecuador11:15,905,84650,210
Ethiopia11:97,546,26229,669
Finland11:5,496,70284,025
Georgia11:3,745,54547,852
Guatemala11:16,082,66812,169
Hong Kong11:7,335,48316,643
Iceland11:380,09011,096
Iran11:76,782,524277,718
Jamaica11:2,869,94713,896
Latvia11:2,050,04660,295
Lebanon11:5,637,08332,436
Lithuania11:3,034,58847,401
Luxembourg11:580,54215,155
Marshall Islands11:51,8212,326
Moldova11:3,561,36878,271
Nicaragua11:6,021,0908,768
Romania11:20,077,87089,414
Saint Lucia11:178,7813,800
Saudi Arabia11:30,855,81763,028
Serbia11:7,144,94838,459
South Korea11:51,240,2568,015
Spain11:46,752,036156,870
Sri Lanka11:20,808,56018,521
Syria11:19,301,02222,457
Taiwan11:23,444,74693,622
Tajikistan11:8,386,69212,859
Turkey11:77,821,422191,047
Ukraine11:45,522,696503,646
United States Virgin Islands11:110,3756,934
Venezuela11:30,204,07785,459
Vietnam11:92,646,0548,382
PlaceIncidenceFrequencyRank in Area
Ireland1291:34,3403,302
PlaceIncidenceFrequencyRank in Area
England6551:37,2144,818
Wales751:20,9121,213
Scotland201:187,1617,190
PlaceIncidenceFrequencyRank in Area
United States4,9281:10,1901,327

The alternate forms: Hollý (1,201) are calculated separately.

Holly (322,863) may also be a first name.

Holly Surname Meaning

From Where Does The Surname Originate? meaning and history

This name in Ireland is seldom of English origin. In Kerry it is the anglicized form of Mac Cuilinn by translation. In Ulster it is an occasional synonym of MacQuillan. SIF 90

A Guide to Irish Names (1964) by Edward MacLysaght

Disregarding the English name Holley or Holly which, if found at all in Ireland, is very rare, Holly is located in two widely separated areas and in these its origin is different. In Co. Kerry it was first anglicized MacCullin, from the Gaelic Mac Cuilinn (cuileann is the Irish for holly), and this form occurs in the Fiants for Co. Kerry in the person of Teig MacCullin of Gortinsearnie who, received a “pardon”

in 1601, but this soon became Holly. Of the seven births registered for Holly in 1865 six were in the Glin-Listowel area (the other was at Kilmacthomas) and in 1911 there were 15 Holly families in Co. Kerry

King in his analysis of the census of that date gives the Gaelic form of the name as Ó Cuilinn but I think he should have given Mac Cuilinn. * We also find Morogh MacRorye MacOwen O Holowe in Co. Kerry in a Fiant of 1574; I have found no evidence that this became Holly, but even if it is not relevant I like to record it as an example of a name which is a pedigree in itself. The other habitat of the Hollys is Ulster. In modern times it has been recorded by local registrars as used synonymously with Quillan. In that case no doubt the Gaelic form is Mac Uighilin (see Irish Families p. 250). MacCullin is in the Elizabethan Fiants relating to Co. Monaghan and in the next century Petty's “census” lists it a principal Irish name in that county. MacCullin, however, does not appear to have become to any extent Holly by translation there. It is still MacCullin or MacCullen where it has not been absorbed by the better known MacQuillan.

*In his History of Kerry, however, he includes Holly among the “planter” families.

Supplement to Irish Families (1964) by Edward MacLysaght

(English) Dweller at, or near, a holly tree.

Dictionary of American Family Names (1956) by Elsdon Coles Smith

Holly Last Name Facts

Where Does The Last Name Holly Come From? nationality or country of origin

The last name Holly (Arabic: هولي) is found most frequently in The United States. It can occur in the variant forms: Hollý. Click here for further possible spellings of this last name.

How Common Is The Last Name Holly? popularity and diffusion

It is the 31,621st most widespread family name world-wide, held by approximately 1 in 431,701 people. The last name occurs mostly in The Americas, where 77 percent of Holly live; 76 percent live in North America and 76 percent live in Anglo-North America. It is also the 3,229th most commonly occurring forename worldwide. It is borne by 322,863 people.

The last name Holly is most widely held in The United States, where it is carried by 12,323 people, or 1 in 29,413. In The United States it is most prevalent in: California, where 10 percent reside, Texas, where 9 percent reside and Maryland, where 7 percent reside. Beside The United States this surname occurs in 98 countries. It is also common in England, where 4 percent reside and Germany, where 3 percent reside.

Holly Family Population Trend historical fluctuation

The incidence of Holly has changed through the years. In The United States the number of people who held the Holly last name rose 250 percent between 1880 and 2014; in England it rose 109 percent between 1881 and 2014; in Ireland it rose 239 percent between 1901 and 2014; in Wales it rose 137 percent between 1881 and 2014 and in Scotland it decreased 10 percent between 1881 and 2014.

Holly Last Name Statistics demography

The religious devotion of those holding the last name is predominantly Catholic (78%) in Ireland.

In The United States those holding the Holly last name are 13.48% more likely to be registered with the Republican Party than The US average, with 60.25% registered to vote for the political party.

The amount Holly earn in different countries varies notably. In South Africa they earn 15.07% more than the national average, earning R 273,456 per year; in United States they earn 4.03% less than the national average, earning $41,409 USD per year and in Canada they earn 0.22% more than the national average, earning $49,790 CAD per year.

Phonetically Similar Names

SurnameSimilarityWorldwide IncidencePrevalency
Hollý931,201/
Holley9147,405/
Hollay91171/
Cholly91143/
Hollóy9120/
Holloy9112/
Holluy919/
Hollyi915/
Hoolly911/
Hollhy911/
Holliy911/
Hoully911/
Kholly911/
Hollly910/
Holy895,489/
Olly89261/
Cholley831,889/
Houlley832/
Holleys831/
Kholley831/
Holleey831/
Holleyj831/
Holliey831/
Khoully831/
Hoolley830/
Hoslley830/
Hollioy830/
Holle807,032/
Kholy805,076/
Holla804,507/
Olley804,289/
Golly803,550/
Hally802,315/
Hollá801,226/
Holey80913/
Hully80591/
Holli80497/
Holyi80247/
Holay80212/
Choly80169/
Houly80145/
Holiy80134/
Hohly80109/
Olloy8097/
Holya8060/
Ollay8047/
Oully8020/
Hollé8013/
Uhlly807/
Hooly805/
Hoely805/
Oilly805/
Holoy804/
Holyt802/
Olliy802/
Ollya801/
Holuy801/
Holhy801/
Hoyly801/
Ollyo801/
Ollyh801/
Oelly801/
Choullay776/
Hotellay770/
Cholleys770/
Oly759,232/
Hollis7351,348/
Jolley7319,827/
Holler7317,576/
Halley7313,392/
Hooley735,473/
Hulley734,039/
Hollie732,655/
Golley731,844/
Cholla731,618/
Khouly731,612/
Hosley731,569/
Kholiy731,057/
Holysh73997/
Chally73903/
Houlle73719/
Kholle73707/
Cholyi73703/
Hallay73630/
Hoelle73535/
Holles73510/
Halloy73506/
Chouly73481/
Choley73378/
Cholli73315/
Chully73271/
Cholle73254/
Jollay73252/
Houley73239/
Holych73236/
Hjouly73204/
Hollet73192/
Holyst73177/
Kholay73167/
Choliy73154/
Gollay73141/
Kholey73124/
Kholyo73122/
Heully73118/
Hollai73117/
Hollje73115/
Houlla73103/
Golloy7394/
Cholay7393/
Holysz7376/
Hollez7374/
Houlli7349/
Kholli7345/
Hullay7344/
Khally7340/
Goully7320/
Houllé7320/
Hohley7319/
Hollee7317/
Holloi7317/
Chooly7317/
Goolly7316/
Ehouly7314/
Holyts7314/
Hotley7311/
Khully7311/
Hoyley7310/
Hotlyp7310/
Ahally738/
Hously737/
Hollit737/
Hollid737/
Holytz737/
Hoiley737/
Hollip737/
Cholya736/
Holleš736/
Holled735/
Hoelli735/
Halhly735/
Houlay735/
Choily734/
Cholys734/
Hollaj734/
Hoille733/
Hollea733/
Oullay733/
Hallya733/
Choloy733/
Cholyo733/
Hollia732/
Kholuy732/
Holoey732/
Otlley732/
Oelley732/
Holluj732/
Khoily732/
Haully732/
Hoeley732/
Hollei732/
Olliey732/
Kholoy732/
Oulley731/
Olloyd731/
Ohlloy731/
Hulloy731/
Hogliy731/
Holiay731/
Hollui731/
Halluy731/
Haally731/
Ahlloy731/
Athlly731/
Holleh731/
Halliy731/
Huilly731/
Houlya731/
Houlyo731/
Hoyloy731/
Hullyt731/
Hoilay731/
Hollej731/
Hollge731/
Ollays731/
Gollyh731/
Golliy731/
Choluy731/
Holyth731/
Hullya731/
Khooly731/
Hoolle730/
Oilley730/
Holliz730/
Holeys730/
Holleyová7113/
Hollayová716/
Ally67406,716/
Hole6730,607/
Chollet6712,416/
Olla6711,041/
Holi677,981/
Housley677,193/
Goly677,065/
Olle675,912/
Hola675,146/
Hollett673,795/
Holý673,687/
Holá673,496/
Olay672,947/
Ahly672,564/
Ohly672,367/
Oley672,341/
Olli672,161/
Choulli672,156/
Haly671,674/
Ollé671,317/
Ully671,249/
Ouly67807/
Oloy67567/
Goulley67429/
Holleis67412/
Challoy67342/
Hollitt67305/
Hollist67295/
Khoilay67279/
Holliss67254/
Olya67247/
Hollich67240/
Houllis67118/
Challey67109/
Uhly67106/
Huly6793/
Heulluy6787/
Oliy6785/
Jahally6750/
Hollish6748/
Holoeyi6743/
Houllet6742/
Holyuha6742/
Khoulle6741/
Houslay6739/
Joullay6736/
Choulla6729/
Olyp6727/
Olyi6727/
Chollai6727/
Chollee6725/
Hoselle6723/
Cholyai6721/
Holletz6720/
Challay6720/
Houllez6720/
Hollidt6720/
Hollech6718/
D'Olley6716/
Choulya6715/
Hollesh6715/
Oluy6715/
Haulley6714/
Hollais6714/
Chouley6713/
Hollest6712/
Chollis6711/
Choolla6711/
Ooly6711/
Houlles6710/
Choulay679/
Ochilly679/
Cholych677/
Chollez677/
Chulley676/
Hoosley676/
Chollie676/
Holysch676/
Holé676/
Oily676/
Chooley674/
Choller674/
Houllai674/
Cholioy674/
Challya673/
Hosller673/
Oullaya673/
Olyo673/
Khoiliy673/
Joilley672/
Haalley672/
Choolyo672/
Choilla672/
Hoillet672/
Ojly672/
Olyh672/
Kholaya671/
Ocilley671/
Choslay671/
Cholaya671/
Chollaa671/
Chollei671/
Cholyst671/
Hotelli671/
Hoysley671/
Holyohh671/
Hoilles671/
Hollihs671/
Hoselli671/
Chulliy671/
Chullya671/
Gollaya671/
Halliey671/
Cholles671/
Hóly671/
Hoolles671/
Huilley671/
Hollees671/
Holless671/
Hollesz671/
Holí671/
Holllis671/
Khalley671/
Ollè671/
Haslley671/
Gahlley671/
Ehouley671/
Choelle671/
Choille671/
Khulley671/
Khallay671/
Ollj671/
Olyt671/
Olyy671/
Olyz671/
Uoly671/
Chouhly671/
Cholysh671/
Hatlley671/
Hallaya671/
Halleys671/
Halloys671/
Houlhoy671/
Holj671/
Hallayd670/
O'Lloyd670/
Hallley670/
Oyly670/
Hollois670/
Ouselly670/
Hollead670/
Hollaha670/
Hocelle670/
Haselly670/
Huselly670/
Hollith670/
Hjooley670/

Holly Name Transliterations

TransliterationICU LatinPercentage of Incidence
Holly in the Arabic language
هوليhwly-

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Holly Reference & Research

Holly/Holley FamilyTree DNA Project - A description of a group researching the paternal lines of men who bear the surname with the help of DNA analysis.

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Footnotes

  • Surnames are taken as the first part of an person's inherited family name, caste, clan name or in some cases patronymic
  • Descriptions may contain details on the name's etymology, origin, ethnicity and history. They are largely reproduced from 3rd party sources; diligence is advised on accepting their validity - more information
  • Name distribution statistics are generated from a global database of over 4 billion people - more information
  • Heatmap: Dark red means there is a higher occurrence of the name, transitioning to light yellow signifies a progressively lower occurrence. Clicking on selected countries will show mapping at a regional level
  • Rank: Name are ranked by incidence using the ordinal ranking method; the name that occurs the most is assigned a rank of 1; name that occur less frequently receive an incremented rank; if two or more name occur the same number of times they are assigned the same rank and successive rank is incremented by the total preceeding names
  • Ethnic group cannot necessarily be determined by geographic occurrence
  • Similar: Names listed in the "Similar" section are phonetically similar and may not have any relation to Holly
  • To find out more about this surname's family history, lookup records on Family​Search, My​Heritage, FindMyPast and Ancestry. Further information may be obtained by DNA analysis