Holmes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Holmes

What does the name Holmes mean?

The origins of the Holmes name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in an area that was referred to as a holme, a slightly raised islet in a fen or partially surrounded by a stream or river. The surname Holmes was originally derived from the Old English word Holen. 1 Another reference claims "A holme is defined by Halliwell as ' flat land; a small island; a deposit of soil at the confluence of two waters. Flat grounds near water are called holms.' " 2

While most references claim that the name was probably Anglo-Saxon, it could very well have been Norman in origin, as William du Holme was listed in Normandy (1180-1195) and William de Homes was also listed there in the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae in 1198. 3

Early Origins of the Holmes family

The surname Holmes was first found in many counties throughout Britain. One of the earliest records of the name was Roger de Holm who was listed in 1186 in Leicestershire. A few years later, Urkel' de Holmes was listed in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219. John atte Holme was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1296 in Sussex. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists: Goscelin de Holme in Suffolk, and John in le Holme in Cambridgeshire. Over 100 years later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists: Thomas del Holme; Adam del Holme; and Johannes del Holme, 1379. 1

Hulam or Holom in Durham "anciently styled Holme, which is the term used to designate it in the Boldon book, formerly belonged to a family of the same name." 5

Early History of the Holmes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holmes research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1240, 1400, 1570, 1571, 1599, 1601, 1622, 1627, 1631, 1633, 1640, 1641, 1653, 1654, 1655, 1656, 1658, 1659, 1673, 1677, 1678, 1683, 1685, 1691, 1692, 1700, 1705, 1706, 1707, 1749, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Holmes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holmes Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Holmes were recorded, including Holme, Hulme, Holmes, Holms and others.

Early Notables of the Holmes family

Distinguished members of the family include

Nathaniel Holmes or Homes (1599-1678), an English Independent theologian and preacher
Admiral Sir John Holmes (1640-1683), an English naval leader and politician, Member of Parliament for Newtown (Isle of Wight) (1677-1685)

Holmes World Ranking

In the United States, the name Holmes is the 145^th most popular surname with an estimated 161,655 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Holmes is ranked the 263^rd most popular surname with an estimated 15,849 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Holmes is the 681^st popular surname with an estimated 64 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Holmes as 123^rd with 21,654 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Holmes as 170^th with 3,132 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Holmes as 86^th with 53,276 people. 11

Migration of the Holmes family to Ireland

Some of the Holmes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 89 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Holmes migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Holmes family emigrate to North America:

Holmes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Alice Holmes, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 12
William Holmes, from Sandwich, who arrived New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Hercules" 13
Mr. Samuell Holmes, aged 20, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Speedwell" 13
Joe Holmes, who settled in New England in 1635
Mathew Holmes, aged 21, who landed in Virginia in 1635 Eedie Hollaway, (Holloway), aged 22, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Assurance" 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Holmes Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Susannah Holmes, who landed in Virginia in 1703 12
Grace Holmes, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 12
Anne Holmes, who arrived in Virginia in 1711 12
Avis Holmes, who landed in Virginia in 1713 12
Eliza Holmes, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Holmes Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Henry Holmes, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1804 12
Joseph Holmes, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 12
Thomas Holmes, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 12
Robert Holmes, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1812 12
Nathaniel Holmes, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1812 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Holmes Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Sevald Holmes, who landed in Alaska in 1900 12

Holmes migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Holmes Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Bacon Holmes, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Mr. Absalom Holmes U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 14
Mr. Asa Holmes U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 14
Mr. Daniel Holmes U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 14
Mr. Elias Holmes U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Holmes Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

George Holmes, who landed in Canada in 1812 as part of the Red River Settlement
Chandler Holmes, who landed in Canada in 1828
Thomas Holmes, aged 50, a mariner, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Thomas Hanford" from Baltimore, Ireland
Mrs. Cetty Holmes, aged 33 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Odessa" departing from the port of Dublin, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle In August 1847 15
Mr. Joseph Holmes, aged 5 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Virginius" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle In August 1847 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Holmes migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Holmes Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Miss Susannah Holmes, (b. 1765), aged 22, English farmer who was convicted in Thetford, Norfolk, England for 14 years for burglary, transported aboard the "Charlotte" on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. William Holmes, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17

Holmes Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Holmes, (b. 1774), aged 26, English farmer who was convicted in Kent, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1842 18
Miss Rebecca Holmes, British Convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
Mr. James Holmes, English convict who was convicted in Essex, England for 14 years , transported aboard the "Duke of Portland" in January 1807, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
Mr. John Holmes, (b. 1797), aged 18, English convict who was convicted in Derbyshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
Mr. John Holmes, (b. 1799), aged 16, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1841 22
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Holmes migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Holmes Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Holmes, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
James Holmes, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
John Holmes, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
James Holmes, aged 26, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Oriental" in 1840
Ann Holmes, aged 24, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Oriental" in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Holmes migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 23

Holmes Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Richard Holmes, (b. 1610), aged 24, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 12
Mr. Henry Holmes, (Eolmes), aged 44, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634
Mr. John Holmes, (b. 1613), aged 22, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Paul of London" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 24
James Holmes, who settled in Barbados in 1679 with his wife, children and servants

Holmes Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Hugh Holmes, who landed in Antigua (Antego) in 1762 12

Contemporary Notables of the name Holmes (post 1700) +

Susan Holmes (1942-2025), American politician, farmer, teacher, and postmaster from Georgia, Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 2011 to 2023
Susan Holmes (1942-2025), American politician, farmer, teacher, and postmaster from Georgia
King Kennard Holmes (1937-2025), American physician, microbiologist, epidemiologist and medical school professor, an internationally recognized expert on sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV/AIDS
Edith Frances Ruth Bradley Holmes (1924-2021), American linguist, educator, and polyglot who authored two Cherokee language textbooks
Alvin Adolf Holmes (1939-2020), American politician, Member of the Alabama House of Representatives (1974-2018)
Zachariah Holmes, American politician, Member of South Dakota State House of Representatives, 1893-94, 1897-98, 1917-18 (45th District 1893-94, 1897-98, 47th District 1917-18) 25
William H. Holmes, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Missouri State House of Representatives from Maries County, 1945-48 25
William S. Holmes, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maine, 1936 25
William H. Holmes, American politician, Delegate to Illinois State Constitutional Convention from Tazewell County, 1847 25
William F. Holmes, American politician, Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from Norwalk, 1932 25
... (Another 213 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Holmes family +

HMS Hood

Mr. Harold Holmes (b. 1920), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 26
Mr. George Holmes (b. 1907), English Leading Stoker serving for the Royal Navy from Drury Lane, London, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 26
Mr. Edward J Holmes (b. 1923), Scottish Boy 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 26

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. George Stephen Holmes, DCS, English Ordinary Seaman from Wallasey, England, who sailed on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) prior to its sinking 27
Mr. Stanley Holmes (b. 1915), English Able Seaman from England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 27
Mr. John William Holmes (b. 1920), English Able Seaman from England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 27

USS Arizona

Mr. Roy W. Holmes, American Seaman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 28
Mr. Lowell D. Holmes, American Fireman Third Class from Alabama, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 28

The Holmes Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fide sed cui vide
Motto Translation: Trust, but in whom take care.

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 34)
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/charlotte
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duke-of-portland
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, August 17) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html