Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Sotholm 1182,1183 P

• Sudholm 1184,1185 ib

• Sutholm' 1212 FF 1282 FF

• Sutholme c.1300 Guis

• Saltholm 1191,1192,1193,1194,1195 P 1196 ChancR 1197,1198,1199 P

• Holm 1275 RH 1287 Ipm 1313 Pat 1332 SR 1366 GrimsFC 1372 Misc Eliz ChancP

• Holme 1276 RH 1314 Inqaqd 1314 Pat 1327 SR 1335 Fine 1387 Cl 1547 Pat

• Hulm 1313 Inqaqd

• Cleholme 1316 Pat

• Holm' Hyll 1508 GrimsCBii

• Holm hill 1518 GrimsCLeet

• holme hill 1635 Terrier 1720 GrimsCLeet

• Holme Hill 1709 LindDep 1710,1719 Td'E 1828 Bry

Etymology

The earliest forms indicate that this is 'the southern piece of higher ground amidst the marsh', v. sūð , holmr , presumably in relation to Grimsby. The late 12th century forms from P seem to belong here suggesting Saltholm was an alternative name 'the salty holme', v. salt , holmr . From 1275 onwards the name appears in a simplex form. The spelling Cleholme 1316 is unique and must mean 'the holme belonging to Clee' in which parish it was situated.

The site is described by Oliver 30 (1825), who states “Holm Hill is the most extraordinary monument which Grimsby can boast. It is more than 2000 feet long by 300 broad, —180 feet sloping height, from the most elevated point—and contains upwards of twelve acres of land”. Today, there is only a slight rise and Foster, LRS 17, lii, 1920, comments “the site now forms part of the municipal borough of Grimsby and the name Holme Hill survives to specify the district immediately to the east of Hainton square, in Grimsby, where St. Luke's church, St. Andrew's vicarage, the Holme Hill Council Schools etc., are situated. No more than a mound, the site of St. Mary's Roman church, now remains to represent Holme Hill; but a hundred years ago the hill was one hundred and sixty feet high, and covered twelve acres.Fifty years ago to anyone facing eastwards from what is now Hainton square it appeared as a nearly perpendicular cliff from forty to fifty feet high, which in about ten years time was levelled, the materials being used by builders.”