A Newly Discovered Hollingworth Hall related Y-DNA Signature!


A new Hollingworth Hall descendant Y-DNA signature has been discovered by my friend and project member Simon Hollingworth, descendant of the Hollingworth Hall of Cheshire lineage.  This lineage was discovered by Simon's recent research and connection to one of our project members who is now confirmed as related to the Hollingworth Hall family lineage.  This discovery includes a rather large group of our project members.  The current name of this group is the "Descendants of a Common Ancestor, (CHESHIRE, England area - (Unknown at this time)" and currently has 15 members. The name of this group will be updated on a future project update.

Many of you are familiar with the Hollingworth Hall of Cheshire family but some may not be aware that there was a separate Hall "just down the carriageway" known as the "Old Hall of Mottram" and was occupied by a branch related to the Hollingworth Hall family.

Through Simon's extensive detailed research of these various families, he has confirmed that more than one Hollingworth family descended from amaternal "Hollingworth Hall" related line.  In other words, the husband married a bride from the more prominent Hollingworth family and agreed to change his name to Hollingworth.  This was not uncommon at that time and, of course, changed the Y-DNA of the lineage!

This explains why at least some of the various Holling(s)worth lineages with different Y-DNA signatures from the original Hollingworth Hall of Cheshire lineage may be related through a maternal descendant of Hollingworth Hall.

I plan to include a portion of Simon's articles starting in the next Y-DNA project update.  I would like to express a very big "THANK YOU" to Simon for sharing his vast knowledge, expertise and tireless research with us!

John R. Hollingsworth of Giles ......of Valentine



A Newly Discovered Hollingworth Hall related Y-DNA Signature!


I noted last week that a new descendants of  Hollingworth Hall Y-DNA signature has been discovered by Simon Hollingworth.  I will include portions of his exhaustive and excellent research and in the next several project updates.  The first article will include ancient Hollingworth genealogy/history and lines where a Y-DNA change may have occurred.  These noted lines could explain some of the other "different" Y-DNA test results of early Hollingworth lineages including a possible connection to the Valentine Hollingsworth line of Co. Armagh, Ireland.

 John R. Hollingsworth, Giles......... of Valentine

The various generations that Simon noted in his articles are in reference to the first known lord de Hollingworth (Generation One).


Article 1-1 - New Hollingworth Hall related Y-DNA Signature by Simon Hollingworth


The new Y-DNA for the Old Hall Hollinworths

The Old Hall of Mottram or ‘The Nether Hall’ as it was called, was its own separate seat attached to ‘Little Holynworth Manor’ during the 1300s. Prior to this date, the Manor of Hollingworth was held as a collection of smaller manors, with the demense being held by the Holyngworthe Hall family. In effect, this meant that the Holyngworthe Hall family held the lordship over all of the smaller manors in Hollingworth. At this time, these subordinate estates were called Thorncliffe-in-Hollingworth, Wolley-in-Hollingworth and Little Hollingworth.

Between 1200 and 1378, the Old Hall Estate passed in and out of the different branches of the Hollingworth Hall family. The family of Rear-Admiral John Ibbetson Hollinworth Esq. can now be traced in direct descent to Thomas de Holynworth and his wife Joan of the Old Hall in Mottram.

A pedigree published by a descendant of Thomas Hollinworth in 1495, gives Thomas as the son of John de Holynworth, the assumed John, lord de Holynworth (VI) in generation nine. This claim was later shown to be correct in a private pedigree for the Hollingworth Hall family held in the possession of Capt. Robert de Hollyngworthe of Boxley in Kent (1792-1865).

It is difficult to determine the exact size of Thomas Hollinworth’s estates, however it would have included 1/3 of Little Holynworth manor, the Oldfields in Hollingworth, and various lands at neighbouring Tintwistle, along with two burgages (farms) at Deansgate in Manchester. Thomas also held various lands at Ancoates in Lancashire; and of course, the seat of the Old Hall in Mottram. Thomas Hollinworth was clearly a very wealthy gentleman, and appears to have held more lands than his older brother John, lord of Holynworth (VII) of Holyngworthe Hall. At this time, Thomas Hollinworth also shared his ownership of Little Holynworth Manor with an assumed uncle, also known as Thomas Hollinworth.

It can be assumed that the Y-DNA for the Holyngworthe Hall family at this time (generation nine) was shared with the Old Hall family. The Holyngworthe Hall Y-DNA represented by the Maidstone in Kent and the Dale Abbey lines, most probably remained with the Old Hall family until 1456.

In order, to find the first plausible juncture for the Y-DNA change, we must go to Alexander de Holynworth of the Old Hall, given son and heir of Hugh, and the grandson of Thomas de Holynworth and Joan.

After the death of Thomas de Holynworth around 1440, his eldest son Hugh Hollingworth inherited the Old Hall at Mottram. Hugh Hollingworth appears to have had two sons at this time: Alexander (VI) and Thomas (VI). The Hollingworths of the Old Hall were also senior foresters for Longdendale and had inherited a number of the ancient forest farms once held by the Holyngworthe Hall family. Hugh Hollingworth (b.abt.1395) appears to have given Alexander Hepworth alias Hollinworth the Old Hall estates in Mottram, and a Thomas Hollinworth the forest farms at Horden Close in Hadfield and the Whitefields at Glossop.

The current evidence shows that the Old Hall scion and the various Glossop cohorts do not match the Holyngworthe Hall Y-DNA. It is probable that this change in Y-DNA first occurs with Hugh Hollinworth and his heirs, Alexander and Thomas circa 1450.

The assumed lifespan for Hugh Hollinworth (II) of the Old Hall is based on the date in which he inherits lands from his father in 1428; which suggests that he was in his term of majority by this date. To add to the confusion, the Holyngworthe Hall family also had a son called Hugh Hollinworth (I). However, this Hugh Hollinworth (I) is known to have died of plague in 1415, while on his way to fight at the Battle of Agincourt.

The assumed date range for Hugh Hollinworth (II) of the Old Hall (b.abt.1395 - d.abt 1460), makes it possible for him to have been the father of Alexander and Thomas, or the maternal grandfather for these two men. This assertion, in some part, explains why Alexander Hollinworth of the Old Hall, also went by the alias ‘Hepworth’.

Alexander de Hepworth alias Holynworth (II), the heir of Hugh de Holynworth of the Old Hall Mottram.

(Generation Twelve. Change of Y-DNA- approx. 1420-1498)

The first mention of Alexander Hollinworth (II) of the Old Hall is in 1433. At this time Alexander must have been very young (about 12 y.o), as he is mentioned along with his father, Hugh Hollinworth (II) in a grant of the family’s lands in Ancoates. Alexander Hollinworth (II) is later documented as having married Jane, the daughter of Sir William de Ratcliffe of Ordsall Hall in Lancashire. The Ratcliffe family records held at Ordsall Hall, actually record Alexander as ‘Alexander de Hepworth de Holynworth’ presumably of the Old Hall. However, the College of Heralds gives the husband of Jane Ratcliffe as Alexander de Holynworth of the Nether Hall in Mottram. It can therefore be concluded that Alexander de Hepworth and Alexander de Holynworth, are one and the same person.

Alexander’s father-in-law, Sir William de Ratcliffe (b.1420-1498) was a pious and brave knight who was slain fighting the Scottish along with his sons, John (b.1454-1498) and William. All three men were slain on the same day in 1498 and buried beneath the choir of Manchester Cathedral. What is immediately obvious about these birth dates, is that Alexander Hollinworth was in fact a contemporary of his father-in-law, and married a wife from a later generation.

It is impossible to say whether Alexander Hollinworth fought alongside of his father-in-law. Alexander Hollinworth is recorded as living in 1465, however, there is no further account given for him after this date. If Alexander was still soldiering in 1498, he would have been of a commensurate age to his father-in-law, who died in battle at 78 years.

The Heralds Visitations also shows that Alexander Hollinworth and Jane Ratcliffe had at least one heir, Reginald Hollingworth (I) who inherited the Old Hall estates at Mottram. Reginald Hollingworth of the Old Hall is known to be living as late as 1482, and is given by the College of Heralds as the father of John Hollingworth (knight), slain at Boulogne. Reginald Hollingworth of the Old Hall (generation thirteen) was also a forester for Longdendale, which would have been the same hereditary office held by Thomas Hollinworth of the Old Hall between 1400-1440.

It is most likely that Thomas Hollinworth of the Old Hall (died before 1440) and his son, Hugh Hollingworth of the Old Hall (d.abt.1460) shared the same Y-DNA as the Holyngworth Hall family. Alexander Hollingworth of the Old Hall and Thomas Hollinworth of Hadfield and Glossop, were probably the maternal grandsons of Hugh Hollinworth, and may share the Hepworth Y-DNA.

It was customary in these times, to change your surname to that of the estate you inherit. It is possible that Alexander Hepworth’s mother was the daughter of Hugh Hollinworth. He probably inherited his grandfather’s Old Hall estates soon after his marriage to Jane Ratcliffe, whereby he would have been obligated to change his surname to that of Hollingworth. From this time forth, the heirs of Alexander Hollinworth and Joan Ratcliffe of the Old Hall have been known as Hollingworth, with full rights to the family coat of arms with the three holly leaves.


Article 1-2 - New Hollingworth Hall related Y-DNA Signature by Simon Hollingworth


Account Two:

The next possible juncture for a Y-DNA change occurs within generation sixteen. Robert Hollinworth of the Old Hall and Ellen Clayden of Droylsden had the following children: John Hollinworth of London (d.1588), Reginald Hollinworth, heir to the Old Hall, Ralph Hollinworth (d.1634) and Robert Hollinworth (d.1606).

The only identified daughter for this family was Katharine Hollinworth, the wife of John Bretland of Thorncliffe Hall. Now her youngest son, one Lawrence Bretland did style himself as Lawrence de Hollinworth of Thorncliffe, taking his maternal grandfather’s surname in preference to his paternal name. This appears to have been a legitimate surname change, as Lawrence Bretland alias Hollingworth is later recorded as a Hollingworth gentleman of Mottram in the Vale Royal for Cheshire in 1656. It would appear that Lawrence was the only son to adopt his grandfather’s surname, with his siblings all choosing to retain the name of Bretland.

Lawrence Bretland alias Hollinworth, the son of John Bretland and Katharine Hollinworth (Generation Seventeen. Change of Y-DNA- approx.1620-1660

Lawrence Hollinworth, the son of John Bretland Snr. had two children: Lawrence Hollinworth Jnr and Elizabeth Hollinworth the wife of John Hadfield of Padfield. This example clearly shows, a second Y-DNA change to the Old Hall family from Mottram. Lawrence Bretland alias Hollinworth’s heir and son, was documented in 1714 as Lawrence Hollinworth Jnr. heir to Thorncliffe and a fifth part of the manor of Newton. Although, no descendants for Lawrence Hollinworth have at this time been identified, it would be reasonable to assume that they have the Y-DNA for the Bretland family of Hollingworth.

Note: The early researchers of the Valentine Hollingsworth family were convinced that Henry Hollinworth connects with the Old Hall family at this point in history, through a man named Robert. If ever there was such a connection, then this example demonstrates a possible explanation for the Valentine Hollingsworth family’s unique Y-DNA.

Account Three:

The next possible juncture for a Y-DNA change occurs within generation eighteen, with the Old Hall family’s very distant kinsman living at Manchester. Jeremy Hollinworth of Tetlow Fold appears to descend in direct descent from the Old Hall of Mottram. His daughter Isabelle had a son with Raffe Sealey, but chose to baptise the boy Adam Hollinworth.

This branch of the Hollinworth family living at Manchester, repeated the same practice in the nineteenth generation with Samuel, the son of Mary Hollinworth. I am unable to conclusively connect Mary Hollinworth to any of the main branches of the Hollinworth’s living at Manchester, however, there is little doubt that she descends from one of the major Manchester scions.

Adam Sealey alias Hollinworth, the son of Isabelle Hollinworth of the Manchester line (Generation Eighteen. Change of Y-DNA- approx. 1620-1660

Adam Hollinworth was the grandson of Jeremy Hollinworth of Tetlow Fold and his wife Kathryn Barlow. Adam was born in 1634 to Isabelle Hollinworth and Raffe Sealey of Manchester. There is no marriage record for Isabelle and Raffe Sealey, which strongly suggests that their son was raised among the family of Jeremy Hollinworth. The baptismal records clearly show that Adam Hollinworth’s father was Raffe Sealey however the family chose to give him the maternal surname of Hollinworth. Although, no descendants of Adam Hollinworth have been identified at this time, it would be reasonable to assume they have the Y-DNA for the Sealey family of Manchester. An attempt to draft a credible pedigree for Adam Hollinworth, shows that he descends most probably from Thomas de Holynworth and his wife Joan from the Old Hall in Mottram, and is therefore a member of the ancient Holyngworthe Hall line.

Samuel Hopwood alias Hollinworth, the son of Mary Hollinworth of the Manchester line (Generation Nineteen. Change of Y-DNA- approx. 1665-1700

Samuel Hollinworth was the son of Mary Hollingworth and Alexander Hopwood of Manchester. There is no marriage record for Mary and Alexander Hopwood which strongly suggests that their son was raised by Mary Hollinworth and her family. The baptismal records clearly show that Samuel Hollinworth’s father was Alexander Hopwood, however the family chose to use the maternal surname of Hollinworth. Although, no descendants of Samuel Hollinworth have been identified, it would be reasonable to assume that they would have the Y-DNA of the Hopwood family of Manchester.

Implications for the Valentine Hollingsworth family

Although, only four accounts of credible Y-DNA changes for the Hollingworth family have been given here, there are many more. For example, William Hollingworth alias Snowden, the fishmonger of London in the 1550s and Robert Carver alias Hollyngworth of Kilnwick in York near Driffield. These examples clearly show that surname changes were far more common than we would expect.

Perhaps the most challenging ancestry to date, has been that of Valentine Hollingsworth and his father Henry Hollinworth of the Irish line. There are varying accounts for this family, including claims that they descend from Robert Hollinworth of Mottram and Joan Parker of Claypole. Extensive research of the Claypole district in Lincolnshire shows that there were no less than four families of Hollingworth living in this parish. Two lines appear connected, with the other two lines coming from different progenitors. Further research has shown that among the local families named Hollingworth, there were two unrelated priests of the same surname name here. Harry Hollingsworth detailed one Rev. James Hollingworth of the Lincoln line, however, there was a another parish priest by the name of Jacob Hollingworth also living in this village in 1634.

Harry was particularly interested in this village, as it was the location of Valentine Hollingworth of Claypole. Given that we have at least three separate lines living in this parish is note worthy. This particular name appears to be very rare, with only one further account being given in the 1860s with Valentine Hollingworth of Norton Woodseats in Derbyshire.

The claim that a Robert Hollinworth of Mottram married Joan Parker of Claypole needs further investigation. This particular claim is currently published on the internet and is given as follows.

Robert Hollinworth and Joan Parker, the assumed parents of Henry Hollinworth of Ireland (Generation sixteen for the Old Hall family, or generation thirteen for the Claypole Hollingworths).

The assertion given by some of the early Valentine Hollingsworth researchers was that Henry Hollinworth, father of Valentine was born on the7th of September in 1598 at Mottram. He is given as the son of Robert Hollinworth and Joan Parker of Hollingworth Hall in Mottram, with Joan Parker coming from Claypole in Lincolnshire. Robert Hollinworth is given as having been baptised in 1547 at Hollingworth and died in 1631 at Mottram. At this point in time, this evidence must be treated as conjecture, although possible.

Now this date range, could fit with Robert Hollinworth Jnr. the son of Robert Hollinworth and Elizabeth Clayden of the Old Hall. This particular Robert Hollinworth is known to have been buried at Mottram in 1606 and not in 1631 as claimed by the Hollingsworth family. This generation is given as sixteen for the Old Hall family and could accommodate the date range of a Robert Hollinworth being baptised in 1547.

Robert Hollinworth Snr. of the Old Hall was still a churchwarden for Mottram in 1558, so it is entirely possible that he could be the father of Robert Hollinworth as claimed by the early Valentine Hollingsworth family researchers.

Dealing with the specific claim that Robert Hollinworth the father of Henry came from Hollingworth Hall: The generation given at fifteen, certainly fits well with a birth date for 1547, however, Robert is not a name in usage by this family at this time. If Robert Hollinworth and Joan Parker are the parents of Henry Hollinworth, and if Robert Hollinworth was born at Mottram, then it is more likely it was to the Matley, Glossop or Old Hall families.

Now to the evidence that Robert Hollinworth the assumed father of Henry married Joan Parker of Claypole. At this point in time, the Hollingworth family of Claypole in Lincolnshire does include the names Robert, Valentine and Parker, however no firm evidence can be given as to their origins. It appears that they may descend from the Lincolnshire Hollingworths through an unknown ancestor living at Newark or Claypole in the 1520s.

Two Hollingworth men born around 1540 were given as living at Claypole as farmers. Robert Hollingworth and his wife Elizabeth founded a family at Stubton, which adjoins Claypole parish. Another probable brother (as yet unknown) married Elizabeth (possibly Parker of Tuxford). This is the family that Valentine Hollingworth of Clapole belongs to, along with his unidentified brother, whose son was called Anthony. The birth dates for these two men is probably around 1570. In order for Joan Parker of Claypole to be the wife of Robert Hollinworth, then it could be, that this is the same Robert Hollingworth of Stubton, the father of Gilbert, William, Dorothy, Mary and Barbary, who was also the uncle of Valentine Hollingworth of Claypole.

As yet, this line remains unidentified, but it is entirely possible that it originally descends from Mottram. The evidence shows that the Claypole family of Hollingworth were in some way connected with Lincoln and probably had a recent familial connection with the Hollingworths of Mottram. Without sighting the sources given by the early Valentine Hollingsworth researchers, it is impossible to say whether such a connection actually exists. However, the date range and the contextual associations for these families suggest a strong possibility.

Now that we have proven examples of grandson’s adopting their maternal name of Hollingworth, it is entirely possible that the Hollingsworths of Ireland and America come by their surname in a similar fashion.

Simon Hollingworth