Holmes of County Donegal
Location: County Donegal, Ireland
Surname/tag: Holmes, Holms, Holme, Holm, Homes
This is part of the Irish Holmes Families and Holmes Name Study projects.
There have been Holmes in County Donegal since as early as 1613 when Edward Holmes is listed as having leased the quarterland of Eredy from James Cunningham. [1]Even earlier, a Thomas Holmes appears in connection with the land of Lismomolghan in 1610 as agent to Sir John Stewart, but he is not thought to have remained in Ireland. [2]
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Early References in and near Co Donegal
Gabriell Homes is recorded in the Londonderry Port Book on 15 Jun 1615 as captain of a “small boat of Scotland” from Londonderry to Scotland. [3]
Original Derry will 12 May 1623 prob(ated) 20 May 1623 - Archibald Campbell of the p(arish) of Camus in Derry Dio(cese) & county of Tyrone, laborer made in presence of his neighbors viz: James Sharp Clk; William Fairer, watchmaker; Andrew Orr, weaver; James Dick, card painter; Patrick Hogshead, tailor. Like b(urie)d in Strabane burial place. Debtors: Robert Algeo of Leckpatrick; James Read ibid; Gabriel Maxwell of Raphoe, Gent; James Wilson of Taughboyne, husbandman; Gabriel Holmes the elder of Strabane, tailor; William Somervill of above merchant;John (Blank) of Lecpatrick; Legacies to friends etc [4]
1630 Muster Roll for the Barony of Raphoe [5]
- Sr John Willson Barronet, undertaker of 2550 acres, his men and armes: Gabraell Homes, John Homes (Wilson’s lands incl Killynure or Wilson’s Fort)
- Robert Harrington esqr. undertaker of 4,000 acres, his men and armes:Swords only - James Homes (possibly Creggan, near Ardvarnock and Tullyvinny)
- Mr. Alexander Steward, undertaker of 1,000 acres, his men and armes: William Home (probably from Alexander McAula of Durlin - land later called Drummay?)
- The Lo: Bpp of Rapho his churchlands being 2,700 acres, his men and armes: Calleuer onely - William Home
- Mr. Cahoune Lard of Luce, undertaker of 1,000 acres, his men and armes: David Hume (Portlough)
- James Conningham Esqr., undertaker of 1,000 acres, his men and armes: Swords and Pikes - Adnarle Hoomes
Holmes DNA Project
A number of Holmes men who trace their roots back to County Donegal Ireland are taking part in the Holmes DNA Project.[6] One of the most well known Holmes families from this area is the family of Robert Holmes who came from the Isle of Wight in the mid 1600’s and established the family of Holmestown or Carnone. Family lore is that this family originated from England. There are also others in County Donegal who appear on the early 1600s muster rolls of Scottish planters that are likely to have come from Scotland. DNA and other evidence suggests that both may be true. Donegal ancestors in Group01 appear to have Scottish ancestry while ancestors in Group 08 appear to have English ancestry. As anecdotal evidence, a family immigrating to Connecticut in the 19th century is reported to have traveled with another Holmes family from County Donegal, and while they were both Holmes from Co Donegal, there was recognition that they had different ancestry. (need reference) a
Holmes Profiles in County Donegal
William Homes (1663-1746) of Strabane > Martha's Vineyard
James Holmes I (abt.1680-aft.1724) of Holmestown
John Holmes (abt.1775-) of Kiltole
James Holmes (1762-1834) of Raphoe parish > Iredell County, NC
George Holmes (1817-1890) of Kiltole > Philadelphia, PA
Andrew Holmes of Lismontigley
William Holmes (1843-1885) of Coolaghy > Christchurch, NZ
Samuel Alexander Holmes (1858-1943)
Other resources
Holmes households by parish in Donegal in 1857
Holmes in Griffith's in Donaghmore
Sources
- ↑ An Historical Account of the Plantation in Ulster, Hill, p.507 [1]
- ↑ Hill, p.513[2]
- ↑ The Ulster Port Books, R.J. Hunter, 2020, p.50
- ↑ Will of Archibald Campbell [3]: accessed 25 Jan 2023
- ↑ https://www.cotyroneireland.com/muster/raphoe2.html
- ↑ https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/holmes/about/background
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In addition to these I have John Holmes M.D. (1809-1886) who married a daughter of John Holmes (1786-1834). Doctor John was born in Strabane.
Also William Holmes (1832-1874) who married the granddaughter of John Holmes (1786-1834). William was of Strabane, his parents Robert Holmes and Ann Crawford were also of Strabane.