Ilex aquifolium
Holdenhurst is recorded in the Domesday Book as "Holeest" suggesting an etymology of Old English "holegn" meaning "holly "and "hyrst" meaning "grove, wood", giving a meaning of "wood where holly ("Ilex aquifolium") grows. In succeeding centuries it was spelt Holeherst (12th century), Holhurst (13th century), Hollehurst (14th century), Holnehurst (15th century), Holnest (16th century) and Holnirst (17th century).