Show ContentsHelme History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Helme name was coined by the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Helme was originally a name given to someone who worked as a herdsman. The surname Helme is derived from the Old English word helm, which means a covering. In some later dialects, this word took on the which means of a roofed shelter for cattle. Occupational names such as Helme frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. These types of occupational surnames are called metonymic surnames.

Early Origins of the Helme family

The surname Helme was first found in Surrey where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Helme family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Helme research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1180 and 1500 are included under the topic Early Helme History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Helme Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Helme are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Helme include: Helme, Helm, Helms and others.

Early Notables of the Helme family

More information is included under the topic Early Helme Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Helme migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Helme or a variant listed above:

Helme Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Israel Helme, who landed in Delaware in 1641 1
  • John Helme, who landed in Maryland in 1662 1
Helme Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Johan Friederich Helme, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1766 1
Helme Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Helme, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1847 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Helme (post 1700) +

  • William B. Helme, American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Buenos Aires, 1943-46
  • Robert H. Helme, American politician, Member of North Carolina House of Commons from Johnston County, 1818, 1823-24
  • James W. Helme Jr. (1860-1938), American politician, Representative from Michigan 2nd District, 1920 (Liberal), 1922 (Democratic), 1924 (Democratic); Member of Michigan State House of Representatives from Lenawee County, 1931-38; Died in office 1938
  • James Helme, American politician, Rhode Island Presidential Elector for Rhode Island, 1804
  • Mr. Peter McNeill Helme M.B.E., British recipient of Member of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2
  • Mr. Patrick Ian Helme O.B.E. (b. 1956), British Co-founder and Director for Fermoie, was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to Interior Design and to Manufacturing 3


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 31 October 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1
  3. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists


Houseofnames.com on Facebook