Holmes Surname: Origin and Coat of Arms
What does Holmes mean, and where does it come from? Here is a brief introduction.
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Origin of the Holmes name
Holmes is a topographic name from Middle English holm, from Old Norse holmr, "islet, raised dry ground in a marsh or river meadow". It was common in the areas of Scandinavian settlement in northern England and the East Midlands. In some cases it comes instead from Middle English holm, "holly", for someone who lived by holly trees. Arthur Conan Doyle's detective Sherlock Holmes made it one of the best-known English surnames.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Holmes name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Holmes name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Scotland and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Your full Holmes pack adds the researched history, early records and migration. Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Holmes coat of arms for you.
Holmes name FAQ
What does the Holmes name mean?
Islet, river meadow; holly. Common variants include Holme, Holms, Hulme.
Where does the Holmes surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Scotland and Australia.
Is there a Holmes coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Holmes crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Holmes coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).