John DE HOLBROOK

                      The earliest use of Holbrook as a person's name that has been found is in 1202 when Richard de Holbrook was involved in a land suit in Suffolk. There were many suits in this era as the people were trying to obtain clear title to their land. They were often descendants of the Normans who had come into possession of the land in 1086. These suits were to settle who owned the land and to give clear title. They form the beginning of what is called "legal momory" in England. No suit can go earlier to this era for its basis. Holbrook appears to be a place type of surname; most of the people used surnames in this era used the place name. Otherwise they were simply referred to as "Hamon son of Humfry." The adoption of surnames of the occupation, father's name and physical characteristic generally took place somewhat later in time. By the mid 1500's surnames had been adopted by most people in England. The spelling varies considerably because all the words in English were spelled as they sounded to the writer. "Set" spellings are a most recent innovation, being pressured into use by the invention of the printing press and culminating with the issuance of the first dictionary in the mid 1700's. The first located instance of Holbrook is in 1088 in the Domesday Book. This was a survey of all the lands inventorying the property and people so that William the Conqueror would know the extent of his new English kingdom. The name as given in the book was Holebroc which is survey twice; once is Suffolk and once in Derbyshire. Holbrook is the latinized version of Holebroc: records were written in Latin from 1066 to about 1530 when English was adopted. The next available written records are the Pipe Rolls that were kept for the King as record of income and expenses. A farm named Holebroc first started paying money to the king in 1177 and the next five years. It was in Suffolk, about four miles south of Ipswich. Two other places, at least, have been named Holbrook. They are large farms in south eastern Somersetshire and in Hampshire. Source J.D. Holbrooks, Sterling, CT.