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 7,022
Agricultural Labourer 606
Coal Miner 419
General Labourer 325
Domestic Servant 316
Dress Maker 300
Labourer 274
General Servant 237
Worsted Weaver 184
General Servant Domestic 168
Cotton Weaver 165
Annuitant 152
House Keeper 143
Laundress 133
Joiner 131
Tailor 110
Farm Labourer 109
Worsted Spinner 103
Farm Servant Indoor 96
Farmers Son 96
Carpenter 91
Charwoman 88
Farmers Wife 82
Grocer 80
Blacksmith 74

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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