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 3,711
Agricultural Labourer 763
House Servant 248
Dress Maker 242
Labourer 236
Coal Miner 232
Servant 154
House Keeper 148
Carter 125
General Servant 123
Laundress 100
Tailor 95
Cotton Weaver 87
Blacksmith 86
Shoe Maker 86
Worsted Weaver 86
House Maid 83
Carpenter 77
Cook 75
Joiner 70
Wife Of Above 68
Worsted Spinner 68
Gardener 65
Farm Servant 65
Farm Labourer 64

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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