Surname: Homer

[AdamsHodgetts]

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.

[KGarrad]

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).

[Vance Mead]

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

[KGarrad]

Many theories!

Add in spelling variations, or the fact that those who could write put down what they heard (or what they thought they heard!).

[Vance Mead]

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...

[KGarrad]

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".

[AdamsHodgetts]

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? 

[Vance Mead]

In Freereg that baptism is transcribed as William Hanose(?) or Hannose.

https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_queries/66e5ae10b620e05f43c56fb8?locale=en

[AdamsHodgetts]

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...?