HOLMES – Checkley
HOLMES is a fairly common geographical surname, from the northern Middle English holm, meaning "island" for an individual who lived on an island, or a piece of low-lying meadow lands near or surrounded by water. Also, a geographic surname for someone who lived near where holly trees grew, from the Middle English holm. Surname Origin: English. Alternate spellings: HOLME, HUME, HOME, HOLM.
CHECKLEY is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a locational name from any of three places: Checkley in Cheshire (recorded in 1130 Pipe Rolls); Checkley in Herefordshire (recorded as "Chakkeleya" in 1195 Pipe Rolls); and Checkley in Staffordshire (recorded as "Cedla" in the Domesday Book, 1086, and as "Checkeleg" in the 1196 Feet of Fines). All placenames share the same meaning and derivation, from the Olde English pre 7th Century personal name "Ceacca", and "leah", clearing, glade; hence, "Ceacca's clearing". Variation: Checkly.