Holmes is an English-language surname with several origins. The name can be a variant of the surname Holme. This surname has several etymological origins: it can be derived from a name for someone who lived next to a holly tree, from the Middle English holm; it can also be derived from the Old English holm and Old Norse holmr. Another probable origin of Holmes is from a placename near Dundonald, or else a place located in the barony of Inchestuir. The surname is also sometimes an Anglicised form of the Gaelic Mac Thomáis; similarly, Holmes can also be a variant of Cavish, derived as an Anglicised form of Mac Thámhais. People A Alan Holmes, Welsh musician and record producer Albert Holmes (footballer, born 1885) (1885–?), English footballer Albert Holmes (footballer born 1942), English-born footballer Alex Holmes (born 1981), American football player Alexander Holmes, crewman of the ship William Brown, convicted of manslaughter in 1841 for forcing passengers out of an overloaded lifeboat Alexander Holmes, pseudonym of Hans Habe Alfred Holmes (1931–1994), sergeant of the Gibraltar Regiment Alfred Holmes (composer) (1837–1876), violinist and composer Alice Waring Holmes (1872 – 1939), dentist and suffragette Alvin Holmes (1939–2020), American politician Andre Holmes (born 1988), American football player; brother of Jason Holmes (see below) Andrew Holmes (disambiguation), multiple people Anthony Holmes, British author and businessman Anthony D. Holmes (born 1945), Australian plastic and reconstructive surgeon J. Anthony Holmes, American diplomat Arthur Holmes (1890–1965), British geologist Arthur F. Holmes (born 1924), American professor of philosophy Ashton Holmes (born 1978), American film and TV actor Augusta Holmès (1847–1903), French composer B Barry Holmes (1928–1949), Anglo-Argentinian rugby union player Ben Holmes (1890–1943), American film director Benjamin Holmes (disambiguation) Besby Holmes (1917–2006), American World War II fighter pilot Bill Holmes (disambiguation) Brad Holmes (born 1979), American football executive Bruce Holmes (born 1965), American football player Burton Holmes (1870–1958), American traveller, photographer and filmmaker C Catherine Holmes, Australian judge Charles Holmes (disambiguation) Charlie Holmes (1910–1985), American jazz saxophonist Chris Holmes (disambiguation) Christian Holmes (born 1997), American football player Chuck Holmes (ice hockey) (born 1935), Canadian hockey player Clarence Holmes (born 1968), also known as Ready Rock C, American musician Clay Holmes (born 1993), American baseball player Clent Holmes (born 1917), American guitarist D Daniel Henry Holmes (1816–1898), American businessman Danny Holmes (born 1989), English footballer Darnay Holmes (born 1998), American football player Darren Holmes (baseball) (born 1966), American baseball