Holloway

Holloway is a surname of English origin. It is derived from Old English elements meaning a hollow, hollowed-out place, or pass, combined with a word meaning road or way. The name was historically applied to people living near or working on a hollow road and has since spread to many English-speaking countries, carried by numerous individuals across various fields.

Geography and places named Holloway include several locations in English-speaking countries. The most well-known is Holloway, a district in the London Borough of Islington, located north of central London. The area is centered around Holloway Road, a major thoroughfare that runs through the district. In the Holloway area lies HM Prison Holloway, a long-standing institution that served as a women's prison for many years.

Outside the United Kingdom, Holloway appears as the name of towns, villages, or neighborhoods in other countries, particularly in North America. There are multiple smaller communities and locales bearing the name, reflecting the common practice of using geographic features and routes as place names.

In addition to its use as a place name, Holloway is encountered as a family name in historical and contemporary contexts. As a toponym and surname, Holloway appears in various records, maps, and genealogical sources, contributing to its presence in both geography and personal identity.