Holmes Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Holmes Name Meaning: 'Holm' meaning 'small island' in the Scandinavian language, also a surname for people that lived near holly trees.

This surname may have been introduced and made more prevalent due to parts of Great Britain that were under Danish law in the early medieval times.

Discover how your Holmes ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Holmes Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Holmes family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 4,692
Agricultural Labourer 648
Labourer 411
Coal Miner 281
Domestic Servant 261
Dress Maker 236
General Servant 229
House Keeper 188
Worsted Weaver 161
Cotton Weaver 138
Laundress 134
Annuitant 120
Blacksmith 120
Servant 115
Joiner 101
Farm Labourer 96
Farm Servant 91
Carpenter 91
Gardener 89
Tailor 89
Worsted Spinner 87
Farmer 83
Shoe Maker 81
Butcher 76
Grocer 71

Holmes Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Holmes 100% 249,153
2 Homes 83% 5,804
3 Holms 83% 4,356
4 Hulmes 83% 2,447
5 Helms 67% 1,043
6 Halmes 83% 1,042
7 Helmes 83% 473
8 Whomes 67% 470
9 Holmas 83% 466
10 Hulms 67% 163
11 Holems 67% 134
12 Houlmes 86% 127

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The surname Holmes is the most popular version of all its varients

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