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The ancestry of the name Holms dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in an area that was referred to as a holme, a slightly raised islet in a fen or partially surrounded by a stream or river. The surname Holms was originally derived from the Old English word Holen. 1 Another reference claims "A holme 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.' " 2
While most references claim that the name was probably Anglo-Saxon, it could very well have been Norman in origin, as William du Holme was listed in Normandy (1180-1195) and William de Homes was also listed there in the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae in 1198. 3
The surname Holms was first found in many counties throughout Britain. One of the earliest records of the name was Roger de Holm who was listed in 1186 in Leicestershire. A few years later, Urkel' de Holmes was listed in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219. John atte Holme was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1296 in Sussex. 4
The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists: Goscelin de Holme in Suffolk, and John in le Holme in Cambridgeshire. Over 100 years later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists: Thomas del Holme; Adam del Holme; and Johannes del Holme, 1379. 1
Hulam or Holom in Durham "anciently styled Holme, which is the term used to designate it in the Boldon book, formerly belonged to a family of the same name." 5
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Holms research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1240, 1400, 1570, 1571, 1599, 1601, 1622, 1627, 1631, 1633, 1640, 1641, 1653, 1654, 1655, 1656, 1658, 1659, 1673, 1677, 1678, 1683, 1685, 1691, 1692, 1700, 1705, 1706, 1707, 1749, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Holms History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Holms have been found, including Holme, Hulme, Holmes, Holms and others.
Distinguished members of the family include Randle Holme I (1570-1655), first to bear the name, main duty was arranging funerals of those entitled to bear arms; Nathaniel Holmes or Homes (1599-1678), an English Independent theologian and preacher; Randle Holme II (c1601-1659), Chester city treasurer in 1633 and clerk to the Stationers' Company of Chester in 1641; Randle Holme III (1627-1700), steward to the Stationers' Company of Chester in 1656 and an alderman from 1659...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Holms Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Another 89 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Holms, or a variant listed above:
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: