Daily AncestorIHS
IHS is a monogram for the name of Jesus, from the first three letters of the name in Greek; it is often carved on gravestones and church items.
IHS comes from iota, eta and sigma, the first letters of the Greek name of Jesus. IHC and JHS are other forms of the same monogram. Later readings such as Jesus Hominum Salvator or In His Service are explanations added afterwards.
IHS has been seen on gravestones, especially among Irish Catholics. It is a religious symbol, not the initials of the person buried there.
As seen in a recordInscription on a gravestone
IHS / Bridget Kearns / died Mar. 3, 1881
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "IHS." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/abbreviations/ihs. Last checked 2026-10-12.