Helms is an English and Danish Patronymic Surname and means son of Helm, which derives from the Old Norse name Hjelm or Hjälm meaning 'helmet'. The name may also be a short form of the English Toponymic Surname Helmsley after the town in North Yorkshire. It may refer to: Adam Helms (born 1974), American artist Bobby Helms (1933-1997), American country music singer Robert Lee Helms Chet Helms (1942-2005), American rock promoter, founder and manager of the rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company David H. Helms (1838–1921), Union Army soldier during the American Civil War and recipient of the Medal of Honor Don Helms (1927-2008), American country music steel guitarist Ed Helms (born 1974), American actor Gregory Helms (born 1974), American professional wrestler Hans G. Helms (1932–2012), German experimental writer, composer and social and economic analyst and critic Hermann Helms (1870-1963), American chess player, writer and promoter Jesse Helms (1921-2008), U.S. senator from North Carolina from 1973 to 2003 Johannes Helms (1828-1895), Danish writer and headmaster John Henry Helms (1874-1919), United States Marine and a recipient of the Medal of Honor Johnny Helms (1935-2015), American jazz trumpeter J. Lynn Helms (1925-2011), President of Piper Aircraft Corp. and Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration Laili Helms, the Taliban's best-known advocate in the West before the 9/11 attacks Mike Helms (born 1982), American former basketball player Paul Helms (1889-1957), founder of the Helms Bakery and co-founder of the Helms Athletic Foundation Richard Helms (1913-2002), CIA Director from 1966 to 1973 Richard Helms (naturalist) (1842-1914) German-born Australian naturalist Susan Helms (born 1958), U.S. Air Force lieutenant general and astronaut Tommy Helms (born 1941), American former Major League Baseball player and manager Wes Helms (born 1976), American Major League Baseball player, nephew of Tommy Helms William Helms (died 1813), US Representative from New Jersey and Revolutionary War officer