Show ContentsCollom History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the Collom family were born. Their name comes from the Scottish name MacCallum, which means "the son of the gillie of Callum." However, the full form of the name was used until the 17th century. The Callums were an import branch of the Clan McLeod of Raasay.

Early Origins of the Collom family

The surname Collom was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Collom family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Collom research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1636 is included under the topic Early Collom History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Collom Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. Collom has been spelled Callum, MacColum, MacCallum, Colum, Callam, Callem, Calam and many more.

Early Notables of the Collom family

More information is included under the topic Early Collom Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Collom family to Ireland

Some of the Collom family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Collom migration to the United States +

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Colloms to arrive on North American shores:

Collom Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Henry Collom, aged 67, who landed in America from London, in 1904
  • Samuel H. Collom, aged 30, who landed in America, in 1906
  • Lila Collom, aged 21, who landed in America, in 1908
  • R. W. Collom, aged 30, who landed in America, in 1909
  • Samuel Collom, aged 35, who settled in America, in 1910
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Collom (post 1700) +

  • Jack Collom (1931-2017), American poet, teacher and essayist who has written twenty-three books
  • Rose Eudora Collom (1870-1956), née Wilson, an American botanist and plant collector, the first paid botanist of the Grand Canyon National Park

HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Samuel Richard Collom, British Lead Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 1


The Collom Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: In ardua tendit
Motto Translation: He reaches towards things difficult of attainment.


  1. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html


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