Contents [hide]

McCullum History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

McCullum History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the McCullum family were born. Their name comes from the Gaelic personal name "MacChaluim" which means "son of Calum," oe "son of St. Colomba." The names MacCallum and Malcolm are used interchangeably as Calum is the often Anglicized as Malcolm. 1

Early Origins of the McCullum family

The surname McCullum 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 quickly attained the status of Clan. Their ancient Clan seat was at Poltalloch near Loch Craignish.

The related Clan Calum is said to have been from Ariskeodnish. One of the earliest records of the name was Reginald MacCallum of Corbarron who was made the hereditary constable of Craignish Castle in 1414. Sir Duncan Campbell granted him lands in Craignish and on Loch Avich. This arrangement demonstrates the strong alliance between the MacCallums and the Campbells of Argyll; an arrangement which made them deadly foes of the MacDonalds.

In 1647, Sir Alexander MacDonald killed Zacharie MacCallum, a supporter of the Campbell Chief, in battle at Ederline. In the 17th century, another Zachary Maccallum was bequeathed the Cobarron lands by the last of that branch.

Early History of the McCullum family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McCullum research. Another 270 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1562, 1647, 1665, 1779, 1793, 1800, 1850 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McCullum History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCullum Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Malcolmson, Malcollm, Malcom, Malcomb, Malcome, Malcomson, Malcum, MacCallam, MacCallum and many more.

Early Notables of the McCullum family

Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McCullum Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCullum Ranking

In the United States, the name McCullum is the 8,812^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2

Migration of the McCullum family to Ireland

Some of the McCullum family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 127 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCullum migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McCullum Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. John McCullum U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 3

McCullum migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

McCullum Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Gilbert McCullum, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Eden" on 27th August 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4

McCullum migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McCullum Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Neal McCullum, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Nimroud" in 1863
Charles McCullum, aged 42, a farm labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Apelles" in 1878
Jane McCullum, aged 38, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Apelles" in 1878
Charles McCullum, aged 18, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Apelles" in 1878
Hugh McCullum, aged 17, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Apelles" in 1878
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McCullum (post 1700) +

Samuel "Sam" Charles McCullum (b. 1952), American NFL football wide receiver
Robert McCullum (b. 1954), American collegiate basketball coach
Justin McCullum (b. 1982), American football wide receiver
Julito McCullum (b. 1990), American film and television actor and rapper
Stuart James McCullum (b. 1956), retired New Zealand cricketer
Nathan McCullum (b. 1980), New Zealand international cricketer
Brendon McCullum (b. 1981), New Zealand international cricketer
James McCullum Morris, American politician, Member of South Carolina State Senate, 1963-66, 1969-76 (Clarendon County 1963-66, 17th District 1969-72, 12th District 1972-76)

The McCullum 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 petit
Motto Translation: He has attempted difficult things.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th October 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden