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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Staffordshire => Topic started by: AdamsHodgetts on Saturday 14 September 24 12:26 BST (UK)
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Hi,
The further I go back in researching my Family Tree in Worcestershire and Staffordshire... I'm seeing how the surname Homer revolves from Holmer... going further back, I'm seeing Homes, Hemus, Homus and Hems but no more "Homer/Holmer."
I have tried looking up on the internet but all it tells me is that Homer came from Greek era.
I'm left wondering if Homer/Holmer have revolved from Homes, Homus, Hemus... during the 1600/1700s, does anyone know?
Any answers will be very much appreciated.
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From Forebears.io:
'the holmer,' one who lived on a holm or home (v. Holm); compare Bridger, Fielder, or Churcher.
or from Occup. 'the heaumer,' a maker of helms or helmets
From 23 AndMe:
1. English: topographic name for a dweller by a holly bush, from Middle English holm (Old English holen) + the agent suffix -er, a type of formation characteristic of Hampshire and Sussex. See Holm 2.
2. English: habitational name from Holmer (Herefordshire), Holmer Green (Buckinghamshire), or Homer (Devon), or else from other unrecorded placenames formed with Middle English hol(g)h + mere ‘pool by or in the hollow’ (Old English holh + mere).
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There's also a place name Holmer in Herefordshire. Quite often the 'l' drops out, for example Falconer>Faukner.
https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/HEF/Holmer
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Many theories! ;D
Add in spelling variations, or the fact that those who could write put down what they heard (or what they thought they heard!).
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Probably the best thing to do is go back to your earliest Homer and where did they live. Then look at records from that time for Homer, Holmer and variants, and see which is more usual there.
Parish records, TNA, county archives, wills, legal records, tax lists...
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I have tried looking up on the internet but all it tells me is that Homer came from Greek era.
Try searching for "Homer Surname" or "Homer Last Name". ;)
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Thanks all.
The surname spelling of Homer/Holmer have disappeared from early 1700s and I'm seeing more spelling variation such as Homus, Hemus.... going further back in the Kingswinford area, Staffordshire.
I wonder if anyone could make out the surname spelling of William's baptised on 19 April 1705 to parents: Edward and Mary at St Mary's, Kingswinford? ???
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In Freereg that baptism is transcribed as William Hanose(?) or Hannose.
https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_queries/66e5ae10b620e05f43c56fb8?locale=en
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In Freereg that baptism is transcribed as William Hanose(?) or Hannose.
https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_queries/66e5ae10b620e05f43c56fb8?locale=en
Yes, I saw that but was actually asking how it was spelt in the original register as handwriting may help give a clue...?
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Still looking for the original, but one transcript has the surname as Handse!
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Thanks for having a look.
It's at times like this, I wish FreeReg could have an option to click all counties in one go to find the person I'm looking for instead of looking up each county. FreeReg has, "Select one to three (hold Ctrl for multiple)" but for some reason, it has never worked for me...?
William Homer may have been born in another county but he married Esther Emberton on 29 October 1722 at St Mary's, Kingswinford. I'm also looking for records for Esther Emberton and not having any luck in finding her baptism so far...
This is what I have for William Homer and he was buried at St Michael's, Brierley Hill: -
Name Willm. Homer
Gender Male
Death Age 79
Birth Date 1700
Death Date abt 1779
Burial Date 5 May 1779
Burial Place Brierley Hill, Stafford, England
FHL Film Number 1470582
Reference ID p18 it1
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Hi you will find several Homers starting with Samuel born 17/02/1809 ma to Elizabeth Cole this family are from Cradley Heath. Rowley Regis, Halesowen and Dudley area also into Sedgley..