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Surname Etymology and Meaning of HOLMES

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Name meanings and etymologies are often disputed. The information here is compiled from freely available sources, and no claims whatsoever are made for accuracy, either historical or etymological.

1. English (chiefly central and northern England): variant of Holme.
2. Scottish: probably a habitational name from Holmes near Dundonald, or from a place so called in the barony of Inchestuir.
3. Scottish and Irish: Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Thomáis, Mac Thómais (see McComb). In part of western Ireland, Holmes is a variant of Cavish (from Gaelic Mac Thámhais, another patronymic from Thomas).

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names (2003)