Hollingsworth Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

The two main devices (symbols) in the Hollingsworth blazon are the leaf and stag. The two main tinctures (colors) are azure and ermine.

Azure is the heraldic colour blue, usually quite a deep, dark shade of the colour (there is a lighter blue that sometimes occurs, known as celestial azure). If colour printing is not available then it can be represented by closely spaced horizontal lines in a scheme known as “hatching” 1. The word is thought to originate from the Arabic lazura and it represents the colour of the eastern sky. It is also said to be the colour associated by the Catholic Church with the Virgin Mary and hence of particular significance 2.

Ermine is a very ancient pattern, and distinctive to observe. It was borne alone by John de Monfort, the Earl of Richmond and Duke of Brittany in the late 14th century 3 It has a long association with royalty and the nobility in general and hence represents “Dignity” wherever it is found 4. The ermine pattern is white with, typically, a three dots and a dart grouping representing the tail of the furred creature.5. The ermine spot is sometimes found alone as a special charge on the shield.

Amongst the natural objects depicted on a coat of arms, trees feature frequently, either in whole or as individual branches and leaves. 6. Sometimes the species or the part of tree was chosen as an allusion to the name of the bearer, as in Argent three tree stumps (also known as stocks) sable” for Blackstock 7 Trees of course had long been venerated and its use in a coat of arms may have represented some association with the god Thor 8

We should be surprised to find the stag or buck, noble quarry of many a mediaeval hunt, being illustrated in many a coat of arms. 9. It shares many of the poses to be found with the lion, but also one almost unique to the deer, grazing, as if the animal is still unaware of the hunter’s approach. 10. In common with all symbols related to the hunt we probably need look further for their intended meaning than the pleasure taken by the holder in such pursuits! 11

Wales 181; Scotland 151; France 122

Notable People:

Stanley Walker Hollingsworth (1924-2003) who was a composer from America

George Hollingsworth (1813-1882) who was an artist from the state of Massachusetts in America

Mark Hollingsworth Jr. (born in 1954) who served as the 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio from 2004 to present day, and who is a cleric from America

Elaine Hollingsworth (born in 1928) who was born with the name of Sara Shane, and who was a film and television actress in the eras of the 1950’s and the 1960’s

David Adam Hollingsworth (1844-1929) who served as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of Ohio in the year 1909 to the year 1911, and who also served as the 16th Attorney General of the state of Ohio, and who was a politician from America

John Burnette Hollingsworth (1895-1990) who was a Major League Baseball pitcher from the year 1922 to the year 1928 and who was from America

Albert Wayne “Al” Hollingsworth (1908-1996) who was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who was from America

Matt Hollingsworth (born in 1968) who is a comic book colorist from America

Benn Hollingsworth (born in 1982) who is a soccer player from America

Quanitra Hollingsworth (born in 1988) who is a professional basketball player from America

1) (York Herald, temp. Richard III.). Az. on a bend ar. three leaves slipped vert. Crest—A stag couchant ar.
2) (Surrey and Hartlepool, co. Durham). Motto—Lumen accipe et imperti. Ar. a chev. erm. betw. three stags trippant ppr. Crest—A crescent ar.
3) (Hollingworth, co. Chester). Motto—Disce ferenda pati. Az. on a bend ar. three holly leaves vert. The family name was formerly spelt Hollynworthe, and is evidently derived from the holly tree, called in Cheshire “Hollyn Tree,’’ with which the estate abounded. Crest—A stag lodged ppr.