Origin of holmes

 

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• holmes Origin and Immigration
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• Name History and Origin for holmes
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• holmes Surname Distribution
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  • Distribution of holmes Families in the US in 1840
  • Distribution of holmes Families in the US in 1880
  • Distribution of holmes Families in the US in 1920
  • Distribution of holmes Families in England and Wales in 1891

Origin of holmes Total Records: 2  Origin of holmes, Meaning of holmes Origin: Ireland>NY 1856, NJ Surnames: HOLMES Submitted by: Sandra R. Hart Origin of holmes, Meaning of holmes Origin: Though the immigrant ancestor of the family here dealt with was a German born in Prussia, the name he bore is much better known in Britain than in Germany. 'The English surname, Holmes, is derived from an old word in the language, 'holme,' which is defined by Halliwell as 'flat land'; a small island; a deposit of soil at the confluence of two waters. Flat grounds near water are called 'holms.' Some call them the 'holmes' because they be low and some are good for nothing but grass.' In Scotland a 'holm' means both a small, uninhabited island, and a detached or insulated rock in the sea. If the German patronymic 'Holmes' has not an origin similar to that of the same name in England it is somewhat difficult to find its source. Possibly an English ancestor settled in Germany at some period and from him the family inherited the name. Surnames: Holmes Submitted by: History of West Virginia 11/9/2009 12:45 AM Page 1 of 1

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