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Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Holmes family name include Holme, Hulme, Holmes, Holms and others.
First found in Lancashire where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.
For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, the Canadas, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Holmes surname or a spelling variation of the name include : Charles Holm who settled in Philadelphia in 1866; Robert Holme settled in Barbados in 1654; Thomas Holme settled in Delaware in 1682 with his wife and four children.
Motto Translated: Trust, but in whom take care.
For more information on the last name Holmes, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.
Suggested Readings for the name Holmes
- Falling Leaves: A History of the Holmes Family and Allied Lines by Marjorie J. Caskey.
- Holmes Genealogy: A Compilation of Genealogical History About Adams Holmes (1720-1789) of New Braintree, Massachusetts by John Albert Holmes.
- Elizabeth Holmes, American fine art photographer
- Katie Holmes, American actress
- David Holmes, American photorealistic painter
- Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894), American physician, essayist and poet
- Chris Holmes, Ph.D., of the Oxford Centre for Gene Function at Oxford University
- Sir Frank Holmes, New Zealand economist
- Sir Maurice Holmes, British Barrister
- Philip Holmes, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University
- William Holmes, Professor of Agriculture
- Thomas William Holmes (1898-1950), Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross during the First World War
Tell Me More About Family Crests
Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist
We have researched the Holmes family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.
Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...
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Family Crests: Timeline
Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...
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Family Crests: Elements
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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate
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Holmes Family Crest Products
Anniversary products for the name Holmes. Apparel with a Holmes coat of arms. Armorial histories for the name Holmes. Ceramics displaying the Holmes family crest. Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces. Coat of Arms for the name Holmes. Downloads proudly displaying the Holmes family crest. Family Crest for the name Holmes. Family Tree displaying the Holmes family crest. Hand Painted Plaques emphasing the family crest for the name Holmes. Keychains emphasing the Holmes family crest. Mouse pads featuring the family crest for the surname Holmes. New Products proudly displaying the Holmes family crest. Packages revealing the family crest for the surname Holmes. Plaques and Frames featuring the Holmes family crest. Surname Histories for the name Holmes. Symbolism with a Holmes family crest. Travel Mugs with the coat of arms for the name Holmes. |
The Holmes Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Holmes Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.
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Top 7 Gifts
- Coat of Arms / Family Crest Coffee Mug
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- Record Your Own Family Tree
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- Set of 10 Keychains
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- Pair of Beer Steins
- Pair of Travel Mugs
- Coffee mugs (set of four)
- Set of Four Large Tiles with Coat of Arms
- Set of Four Small Tiles with Coat of Arms
- Tote Bag and Water Bottle

















