Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• (le) Holnefrith 1274–1324 WCR

• Holnefrythes 1286 ib

• Holnefr' 1297 LS 1307 WCR

• Holnfryhtes 1313 ib

• foresta de Holne 1274 ib

• Holnesfrith 1274 WCR

• Holm(e) Frithes 1302 Pat 1329 ADi

• Holm(e)frith(e), Holm(e)fryth 1304 Pat 1379 PT 1402 YI 1461 Pat 1647 YDr

• Holm(e)furthe 1576 WillY

• Holm(e)forth 1583 ib

• Holm(e)firth(e) 1598 SessnR 1614 FF 1814 EnclA

• Holmesfryth' 1392 MinAcct

• Holmesfrith 1405 Pat

• Hulmefirth 1657 WillS

Etymology

'The wood belonging to Holme', v. Holme 269supra , fyrhðe . It was in the Graveship of Holme. The use of the gen.sg. in Holnes -, Holmes - should be noted (v. -es 2 in EPN i, 158). The assimilation of -n - to -m - is due to the following labio-dental -f -, and was extended then to Holme itself.