Holsworthy is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Haldeword. It was part of the Hundred of Black Torrington. According to the 2011 census the population of Holsworthy was 2,641.
The original meaning of "Holsworthy" is probably "Heald's enclosure". Derived from the Old English personal name "Heald" or "Healda", plus "-worthig", an enclosure, farm or estate. An alternative possibility is from Old English "heald" meaning incline or slope. In 1086 the name was recorded as Haldeword and as Haldeurdi (Exon). Other recorded spellings are Haldwwurth 1228, Halleswrthia -worth(e) -wordi late 12th-1291, Haldeswrthy -wrthi -worth 1277-1389, Holdesworthe 1308, Healdesworthe c. 1320, Hyallesworthi 1326, Houlsworthy 1675.
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