The surname Holmes has originated from England. It is a very old, Anglo Saxon name. It can be called a place name because initially the name was given to a person or a family that lived in or near an area called a Holme. This was an area that was a raised islet and/or surrounded by water. The name has been derived from the old English word Holen. The family with this name was found to be living in Lancashire since ancient times. The motto of this family was “Trust, but in whom take care”.