Origin of the Holmes Surname
The Holmes surname is of Spanish/Portuguese origin (Spanish). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #171 with 156,780 Americans (53.15 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Holmes traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Holmes |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | Spanish/Portuguese |
| Language | Spanish |
| US Rank (2010) | #171 |
| US Count (2010) | 156,780 |
| Per 100K People | 53.15 |
| First Letter | H |
Ethnic Distribution of Holmes
Among 156,780 Americans named Holmes, the largest self-reported group is White (56.79%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Holmes Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Holmes moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Holmes family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Holmes Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Holmes Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Holmes
- ✓ The Holmes coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Holmes families live today
- ✓ Notable Holmes bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Holmes fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Holmes
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Holmes.
Other Spanish/Portuguese Surnames
Explore more surnames with Spanish/Portuguese roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Spanish/Portuguese origin as Holmes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holmes
Top Surnames Starting with H
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter H, ranked by population.
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