Campbell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Campbell

What does the name Campbell mean?

The name Campbell was first used by a Strathclyde-Briton family from the Scottish/English Borderlands. It was a name for a person with a crooked mouth, or crooked smile. This nickname surname is derived from the Gaelic words cam and beul, meaning crooked and mouth. Nicknames could be derived from various sources. In general, they came from the physical characteristics, behavior, mannerisms and other attributes of the bearer.

Campbell Coat of Arms Creation

According to Scottish lore, the case of the Duke of Argyll, whose crest is a boar's head, goes back to the time of the Fenian heroes. The ancestor of the Argyll clan was then known as Diarmid.

Unhappily Fionn's wife fell in love with Diarmid while he was one night at a feast in her husband's castle. Fionn found this out, and consulted a witch as to what he could do to get rid of Diarmid without offence. She told him that the Fianna had a wonderful boar on whose back was a poisoned bristle, and that if he could get Diarmid to measure it, the bristle would prick him and he would die. A few days after this Fionn, after some talk, wagered that the length of the boar was so many feet. Diarmid disagreed as to the length, set out to measure it, and returned proclaiming that he was right. Fionn was furious and asked him how he had measured it.

He replied, " From snout to tail." " Ah !" said Fionn, " come and let me see you measure it from tail to snout." Diarmid went, and in measuring it in that direction-against the set of the bristles -the poisoned bristle pierced his foot, and soon thereafter he was dead. The boar's head was adopted by Diarmid's descendants as their crest, and has so remained ever since, with the motto, " Ne obliviscaris " (Lest thou forget). The badge is the myrtle. 1

Early Origins of the Campbell family

The surname Campbell 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. Researchers suggest a joint progenitor of both the Campbells and the MacArthurs. The MacArthurs were the ancient senior sept of the Campbells. Arthur derives from the son of King Aedan MacGabhran, the 9th century Scots King of Argyll. The Clan Campbell was known as the Siol Diarmaid an Tuirc or, alternatively, the Clan Duibhne, and in a Crown charter Duncan MacDuibhne was ancestor of the Lords of Lochow in 1368.

Sir Colin Campbell, son of Sir Archibald, was succeeded by Sir Duncan in 1427. Sir Duncan's second son, Black Colin of Glenorchy founded the Campbells of Breadalbane. He built the castle of Caolchurn and married Margeret Stewart, heiress of the Lords of Lorn. After the Battle of Harlaw in 1411 in which the MacDonalds were badly defeated by the King, the Campbells, took advantage of the situation to acquire more territory from the MacDonalds.

In 1517 the Campbells and the MacLeans of Duart were called upon by the Crown to again suppress the Lord of the Isles, MacDonald of Lochalsh, who had seized two Royal Castles. Lochalsh went to the scaffold and the Campbells acquired more land. Their Chiefs were bestowed with knighthoods, baronies and Earldoms. The Earl of Argyll becoming Chancellor of Scotland to James IV, and through his influence achieved a measure of peace throughout the Highlands.

Early History of the Campbell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Campbell research. Another 244 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1437, 1607, 1609, 1610, 1629, 1630, 1636, 1661, 1662, 1663, 1668, 1685, 1696, 1699, 1701, 1717, 1757, 1764, 1792, 1824, 1878 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Campbell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Campbell Spelling Variations

In the era before dictionaries, there were no rules governing the spelling or translation of names or any other words. Consequently, there are an enormous number of spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names. Campbell has appeared as Campbell, Cambell, Cambel, Camble, Cammell and many more.

Early Notables of the Campbell family

Sir Duncan Campbell, the first Earl in 1437; Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquis of Argyll, 8th Earl of Argyll, chief of Clan Campbell, (1607-1661); and his son, Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll (16...

Campbell World Ranking

the United States, the name Campbell is the 46^th most popular surname with an estimated 370,563 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Campbell is ranked the 12^nd most popular surname with an estimated 71,068 people with that name. 3 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Campbell is the 548^th popular surname. 4 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Campbell as 309^th with 148 people. 5 Australia ranks Campbell as 26^th with 50,389 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Campbell as 38^th with 5,549 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Campbell as 47^th with 84,730 people. 8 South Africa ranks Campbell as 662^nd with 10,267 people. 9

Migration of the Campbell family to Ireland

Some of the Campbell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Campbell migration to the United States +

The freedom, opportunity, and land of the North American colonies beckoned. There, Scots found a place where they were generally free from persecution and where they could go on to become important players in the birth of new nations. Some fought in the American War of Independence, while others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these Scottish settlers have been able to recover their lost national heritage in the last century through highland games and Clan societies in North America. Among them:

Campbell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Colin Campbell, who landed in New Jersey in 1685 11

Campbell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Daniel Campbell, who landed in New England in 1716 11
Eliz Campbell, who landed in New York, NY in 1738 11
Ronald Campbell, who landed in New York in 1738 11
Dugald Campbell, who landed in New York in 1739 11
Catharine Campbell, who arrived in New York in 1739 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Campbell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Walter Campbell, who arrived in America in 1803 11
Elr Campbell, who landed in America in 1805 11
Samuel Campbell, who arrived in America in 1805 11
Sara Campbell, who arrived in America in 1805 11
Dan Campbell, who arrived in America in 1805 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Campbell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Collin Campbell, who landed in Minnesota in 1901 11
William Louis Campbell, who landed in Colorado in 1907 11
James George Campbell, who arrived in Alabama in 1918 11

Campbell migration to Canada +

Campbell Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Robert Campbell, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Jean Campbell, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Angus Campbell, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Archibald Campbell, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Thomas Campbell, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Campbell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Daniel Campbell, aged 24, who landed in Canada in 1811
Daniel Campbell, aged 24, who arrived in Canada in 1811
Colin Campbell, aged 21, Scottish settler who landed in Canada in 1811
Cohn Campbell, aged 21, who arrived in Canada in 1811
Cohn Campbell, aged 21, who landed in Canada in 1811
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Campbell migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. Arthur Campbell, (1731 - 1790), aged 37, British settler convicted in Lancaster, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10

Second Fleet

Miss Ann Campbell, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing money, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
Mr. James Campbell, British settler convicted in Southampton, Hampshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
Mr. Joseph Campbell, British settler convicted in Yorkshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for pick pocketing, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11

Third Fleet

Mr. James Campbell, (b. 1758), aged 29, English settler convicted in London on 15th September 1784, sentenced for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 11
Mr. James Campbell, (b. 1764), aged 23, English blacksmith convicted in Guildford, Surrey on 11th August 1784, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 11
Mr. Donald Campbell, British seaman on the support ship for the First Fleet the "Borrowdal" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Campbell Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Miss Mary Campbell, (b. 1765), aged 28, Irish convict who was convicted in County Down, Ireland for 7 years for shop lifting, transported aboard the "Boddingtons" on 15th February 1793, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12

Campbell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Archibald Campbell, British convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the "Queen" in 1804 13
Mr. James Campbell, British Convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. James Campbell, British settler who was convicted in Surrey, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. Thomas Campbell, (Cammell), British settler who was convicted in Oxford, England for life for returning from transportation, transported aboard the "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. William Campbell, Irish convict who was convicted in Westmeath, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Boyd" on 10th March 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Campbell 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:

Campbell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Robert Campbell, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
Duncan Campbell, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
James Campbell, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
J L Campbell, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Michael Campbell, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Campbell Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century

Marcus Campbell, aged 22, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926

Contemporary Notables of the name Campbell (post 1700) +

Glen Travis Campbell (1936-2017), American two-time Grammy Award winning, Dove Award-winning and Golden Globe nominated country pop singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor, perhaps best known for his songs "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" 17
Elden Jerome Campbell (1968-2025), American professional basketball player who was a power forward and center in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1990 to 2005
Robert Campbell (1937-2025), American architect and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer for the Boston Globe
Joan Louise Brown Campbell (1931-2025), American Christian minister and ecumenical leader, standing as an ordained minister in both the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the American Baptist Church
Irma Lucille Campbell (1916-1992), American corporal in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
Addie Lee Campbell, American technician in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
Janet Campbell, American baseball player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
Jean Campbell (1928-2004), American catcher who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
Georgia Campbell (1926-2004), American pitcher who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
... (Another 88 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Campbell family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Mr. Stuart Donald Campbell (1957-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Whakatane, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 18
Mr. Trevor Campbell (1967-1985), American Private from Brooklyn, New York, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 19
Margaret Campbell (b. 1818), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
Mr. John Campbell, British Fireman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 20
Mr. Michael Campbell, British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 21
... (Another 45 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Campbell 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: Ne obliviscaris
Motto Translation: Forget not.

Sources +

Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/boddingtons
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Boyd
Glen Campbell. (Retrieved 2011, January 20) Glen Campbell. Retrieved from http://www.glencampbellshow.com
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html