Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Holmes

      Origin

      English

      Meaning

      Lives near Small Island or Islet

      Variations

      Homes, Hermes, Hobbes
      The name Holmes, originating from English, holds the meaning of Lives near Small Island or Islet. This name has a rich historical background as well as enduring significance in modern-day usage. Historically, the name Holmes can be traced back to the Old English period, where it originally referred to people who resided near small islands or islets, typically found in coastal regions. These early inhabitants would have adopted the name Holmes as a means to identify themselves according to their geographical surroundings. Over time, the name evolved and became associated with certain families and lineages, becoming a hereditary name.

      In modern times, the name Holmes remains prevalent and continues to find use in various contexts. Due to its distinctive and distinguished sound, it has often been chosen as a name for literary characters, further popularizing its usage. One notable example is the renowned fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The character's name has become synonymous with intrigue, intelligence, and deductive reasoning, cementing the name Holmes in popular culture. In addition to its appearances in literature, the name Holmes can also be found as a name in many English-speaking countries, serving as a reminder of its historical roots and continued presence in modern society.

      Based on our records...

      Smith

      Smith

      This is the most common surname associated with Holmes.
      Mary

      Mary

      This is the most common name of those married to a Holmes.
      William

      William

      This is the most common name for a child of a Holmes.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1880 is when there were the most people born with the first name Holmes.

      Explore the origins of another name.