Holywell House, Hertfordshire

Another possibility as to the origin of the name is the legend of St Alban: Running into St Albans from the south is Holywell Hill, its name taken from the story of Saint Alban's death: legend has it that his severed head rolled down the hill from the execution site and into a well at the bottom (some versions have a well springing from the site at which the head stopped).

The manor was in possession of Sir Ralph Rowlett in 1571, and after his death, it passed to his nephew Robert Jenyns (or Jennings).

It passed through the Jennings family line, and Sarah Churchill (née Jenyns), Duchess of Marlborough was born here in 1660.

She and her husband, John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough often stayed here.

There was also a Holywell House in Swinton, Yorkshire, seat of the Haden family.