This is the earliest list of inhabitants of the parish that has been discovered. It is taken from the original returns preserved in the House of Lords library, which were only discovered in 1870. The Protestation expressed the resolve of those who signed it to maintain the religion established against the Pope.
It was only initially intended that members of both Houses of Parliament would sign when it was drawn up in May 1641, but subsequently it was sent to sheriffs, mayors, and justices of the peace to call together the ministers, constables, churchwardens, and overseers of the poor in every parish so that the inhabitants of the parishes over 18 years of age would take the Protestation dated February 1641–2.
In the parish of Rochdale there were 2,100 persons. This list is transcribed from the original returns documented on pages 542 to 552 of the History of the Parish of Rochdale.
Official (Justice of the Peace)
- Robte Holte, Esq.: One of the two His Majesty's justices of peace who oversaw the taking of the Protestation for the entire parish.
Castleton Division
Total male inhabitants (exclusive of officials): 401.
- Roger Holt
- Jeremy Holte
- Alex Holt
- John Holte
- Edmund Holte
- Samuell Holte
- John Holte
- Henry Holte
- Thomas Holte
- Robt Holte
- Robt Holte
- Robert Holte
- David Holte
- Thomas Holte
- Alexander Holte
- John Holte
Hundersfield Division
Total male inhabitants (exclusive of officials): 738.
- John Holte
- Thomas Holte
- Edm Holte
- Thomas Holte
- Robt. Holte
- Robte : Holte
- Richard Holte
- Adam Holte
- Thomas Holte
- Robt. Holte (absent)
- James Holt
- James Holt
Butterworth Division
Total male inhabitants (exclusive of officials): 370.
- James Holt
- John Holt
- Edward Holt
Spotland Division
Total male inhabitants (exclusive of officials): 570.
- James Holt
- Francis Holt
- Jonathan Holt
- Robert Holt
- John Holt
- Thomas Holt
- James Holt
- Edmund Holt
- James Holt
- John Holt
- Thomas Holt
- George Holt
- Robert Holt
- Francis Holt
- Robert Holt
- Francis Holt
- Richard Holt
- Raphe Halt
- Thomas Holt
- John Holt
- Peter Holt
- James Holt