The 1841 census of Scotland was the first to intentionally record the names of everyone in a household. It provides a stong clue as to the origination of the Holmes name - notice the large concentration in the area southwest of Glasgow.
The Holmes DNA project results for Group 1 give support to this area as their origin as the project has a couple of members with well documented histories whose ancestors emigrated directly from this area of Scotland, and where tradition states that the families had been for centuries. Holmes Group 1 also includes a large number of men who can trace their roots back to County Donegal in Ireland, an area that was largely settled in the 1600s with immigrants from southwest Scotland.
The Holmes surname in Scotland appears to date from as early as 1314 - In a discussion about Robert the Bruce's famous victory over the English at Bannockburn, Kilmacolm: A Parish History p.23 states that "On that ever-memorable summer day in 1314 many a Lang, Laird, Scott, and Holm, then, as now, the chief names in Kilmacolm, fought nobly for their country." The 1695 poll tax for Kilmacolm bears out the old rhyme as it includes over 25 Holmes individuals / families. Kilmacolm: A Parish History p.95
The Holmeses appearing here are tenants of the Earl of Glencairn, head of the Cunningham family. We see Holmes associated with the Cunninghams in the earliest written records going back to the 1500s and a tax list from 1559 of certain Cunningham lands includes the following:
John Holmes - Stane (barony), Irvine Parish
Robert Holmes,elder - Stane (barony), Irvine Parish
Robert Holmes, younger - Stane (barony), Irvine Parish
Ninian Holmes - Stane (barony), Irvine Parish
Edward Holmes - Mains of Gougar & Blackwood, Kilmarnock Parish
Marion Holmes and Robert Thomson - Doura (East), Kilwinning Parish
William Holmes - Doura (East), Kilwinning Parish
Hugh Home - Newtoun, West Kilbride Parish
Perhaps it is not surprising then that one of the earliest Holmes records we have in Ireland is in 1613 when Edward Holmes is listed as having leased the quarterland of Eredy in County Donegal from James Cunningham of Glengarnock., (An Account of the Plantation of Ireland, p.507). Cunningham was a distant cousin of, and had married the daughter of, the Earl of Glencairn.
The Cunninghams were instumental in the Scots settlement of County Donegal in the 1600s. Several Cunninghams are found in the early land grants and they were also among the early clergy. Alexander Cunningham was Dean of Raphoe from 1630-60. The Rev Robert Cunningham was minister minister of Taughboyne, Co. Donegal at about this same time, as was his brother-in-law the Rev Hugh Cunningham, minister of Ray. We have way of knowing for sure, but it easy to speculate that the Cunninghams may have influenced some of their Holmes neighbors to emigrate.
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Early records
31 Jul 1509. Notarial protest by John Montgombry, brother of Hugh, Earl of Eglinton and baillie of Cunningham, and John Montgumbry, baillie of the burgh of Irvine, deputes of the foresaid bailliary of Cunningham, in the presence of Matthew Campbell in Terynzane, sheriff of Ayr sitting in judgement, that Robert Boyman and John Gardner dwelling in the said bailliary, who had been accused of the theft of two oxen from Robert Lyndesay and Elizabeth Holmys, dwelling in Dreghorn, Conighame and Capronstoun, and who had been repledged to the court of the said bailliary and were subject to its jurisdiction should not be tried by the said sheriff. Witnesses: John Schaw of Haly, David Craufurd of Kerss, Robert Coningham of Coninghamheid and others. James Prestone, notary (NRS GD3/1/1/15/12)
Instrument of sasine following on precept from chancery, 2 November a.r. 30 [1542], in favour of William, earl of Glencairn, as heir of deceased Cuthbert, earl of Glencairn, his father, in lands of Finlaistoun Cunynghame with tower and fortalice, lands of Gardnerstoun, Hietre, Bogsyd, the 2 Knokmontanis, Bardrany, Blaikstane, Nather Auchinlek, Leiparistoun, Auchinbothre, Rowantriehill, Wester Lammystoun, Wester and Myddill Dennistoun, in barony of Finlaistoun, bailiery of Renfrew. Also recited: royal letters of attorney, 2 November a.r. 30, appointing Robert Halcanrige, Peter Gardnar, or either of them, as attornies for said earl. Notary: Robert Symple, clerk Glasgow diocese. Sheriff depute of Renfrew: William Flemyng of Barruchane. Attorney: Robert Halcanrige. Witnesses: John, lord Lile, Patrick Flemyng, William Aitken, Robert Holme, John Schaw, John McHuchoun, and sir John Couper, chaplain. National Records of Scotland GD112/68/3
10 Feb 1549: Resignation by Robert Cunninghame of Montgrenand, in favour of Alexander, Earl of Glencairn, of all right to lands of Skelmorlie Cunynghame, occupied by George Kelso, George Holme, John Broun, Alexander Small, John Cochrane, Gavin Clerk and William Gottery, in bailiary of Cunningham and sheriffdom of Ayr. GD39/5/45
Dates 29 Nov 1551 Certified Copy of Letters of Reversion by John Cunynghame of Capringtoun and Annabel Campbell, his spouse, whereby, notwithstanding that Alexander, Earl of Glencarne, had sold to them and the longer liver of them in conjunct infeftment, and to the heirs lawfully gotten or to be gotten betwixt them, whom failing to the nearest lawful heirs and assignees of the said John, that part of the Manys of Fynlaistoun (occupied by Alexander Huntar, Marioun Broun, Johnne Moreis, Johnne Galloway, Alexander Fynny, Luck Kneland and Johnne Foster) extending to a 36 shilling and eight penny land of old extent, the £3 land of Nethir Knokmontane (occupied by Robert Holme, Thomas Birskat, Alexander Gardnare, William Mairsone, Katherin Quhitefurd, Johnne Lyone and Johnne Moreis), the 50 shilling land of Hichttre (occupied by Johnne Galichtlie, David Hychttre, Hector David, William Donald, Alexander Gardnare, Thomas Birskat and Johnne Flemyng), the 35 shilling land of Leparistoun (occupied by Robert Holme, William Aitkin, Andro Wilsone, and Richart Wilsone), and the corn-miln called the Over-Miln of Finlayistoun with the mill-lands thereof and the thirle multures and sucken of the lands and barony of Finlaistoun used and wont, occupied by Johnne Haltanerig, lying in the said barony of Finlaistoun and sheriffdom of Rainfrew, they bound themselves, on receiving payment of the sum of one thousand merks Scots upon the high altar of the parish kirk of Terboltoun to resign said lands, together with the surplus and remnant ferms of Sir Johnne Cowpar's mailing of the Manys of Finlayistoun "mair nor five bollismele zeirlie", into the hands of the Earl. At Air 29th November 1551. Witnesses, William Cunynghame of Laglane, Thomas Fairley, Patrik Mowet, George Kessane and Henry Prestoun, notary public GD86/160
3 Jan 1574 Instrument of Sasine in favour of William Porterfield as nearest and lawful heir of deceased Gabriel Porterfield, his brother, of £5 lands of Overdennistoun, in parish of Kilmacolm and sheriffdom of Renfrew; on precept of clare constat, dated 6 January 1574 by William, Master of Glencairn. Witnesses to the Precept: Humphrey Cunninghame, James Lindsay, and John Maxwell; Witnesses to the Sasine: William Lindsay, Malcolm Cunninghame and John Holm. GD39/5/63
9 Nov 1582. Charter confirming a charter by William Cunnyngham of Caprintoun to Thomas Holme in Carleyth of the 13 s . 4 d . lands of Carleyth which the said Thomas now occupies, in said lordship, paying yearly 4 s . 9 d. , and 5 d. of augmentation, with duplication at the entry of heirs, service at courts, etc. Dated at Mauchlein , 23rd May 1569 ; witnesses, Hugh Cambell of Kylloch, William Cunnyngham , son and heir of the granter, John Mur of Perk. The charter of confirmation is dated Edinburgh, 15th April 1581 ; witnesses, Archibald Dundas, James Prymrois and Edward Mekiljhon. Melrose Regality Records, p.298
23 January 1593: Wil. Holme, Tho. Broun et Jo. Kelso are occupants of the 22 shilling land of Sanct-Phillanes-well mentioned in a Charter by which Mariote Cunningham, relict of Ninian Cunningham of Quhythrist, confirms that she has sold certain lands to Robert Montgomery, son of John Montgomery of Flatt. The sale was made with the consent of her husband, James Lockhart of Lee, and her son Robert Cunningham. Confirmation under the Great Seal of Scotland was obtained granted on 4 May 1597. Register of Great Seal #558
Contract between James Cuninghame of Glengarnok and Kathrene Cuninghame his Spouse on the one part and John Home, Maltman Burgess of Perth and Janet Smith his Spouse on the other part whereby on the narrative of the payment by the latter of 1000 merks the former become bound to infeft him and his assignees in the sunny half Town and Lands of the Mains of Mauchany. Dated at Ballindallocht the 3rd and at Perth the 8th June 1598 GD305/1/106/303
1599. Andro Arnote of Lochrig for Williame Blair in Dalmastrawk, Eduard Holmes in Auldwallis, and James Barclay in Fynnik, 500 merks each, not to harm Johnne Cunynghame in the Rawis of Grugar. Register of the Privy Council, p.617
2197. c.1636.] Fragment of a Writ, apparently of an unexecuted disposition, in terms of a contract, by William, Earl of Glencairn, in favour of MR. Cuthbert Cunningham , son lawful of Alexander Cunningham of Corsehill, of the lands of Auchinbothie, Corsehill, Rowntreehill [Rountreehill], possessed by Robert Holme, Moss-syde, and Pasche Muir, possessed by John Haltry (except the house, yard, and millhill thereof), in the barony of Finlayston, parish of Kilmalcolm , and sheriffdom of Renfrew . No date. [ 2864, Box 75. (Calendar of Laing Charters #2197)
