Show ContentsCallwood History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Callwood family

The surname Callwood was first found in Lanarkshire, Scotland, from the ancient lordship and manor of the same name. Some of the first records of the family include: Isabele de Calrewode of the county of Lanark who rendered homage to King Edward I in 1296 and John de Calderwode who witnessed an instrument of sasine in 1456. Two years later, Edward de Caldorwud had his pension of 20 marks and a croft of church land assigned to him at Cambuslang in 1458 and later still, Archibald Caldderwood was vicar of Cadder in 1509. [1]

Early History of the Callwood family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Callwood research. Another 232 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1548, 1566, 1575, 1650, 1660, 1678, 1687, 1733 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Callwood History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Callwood Spelling Variations

The name, Callwood, occurred in many references, and from time to time, it was spelt Calderwood, Caldderwood, Calderwoods, Cawderood, Caderwood, Cadderwood, Caldorwood, Calderwude, Calderwoud, Calderwode, Caldorwud and many more.

Early Notables of the Callwood family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was David Calderwood (1575-1650), Scottish ecclesiastic, historian, and theological writer, born (as is believed) at Dalkeith, Midlothian, and educated at the college of...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Callwood Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Callwood family to Ireland

Some of the Callwood family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 91 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Callwood family

The New World beckoned settlers from the Scottish-English borders. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Among the early settlers bearing the Callwood surname who came to North America were: James Calderwood, who settled in New England in 1725; with his wife and two children; Adam Calderwood, who arrived in New York in 1789; Alexander Calderwood, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1803.


Contemporary Notables of the name Callwood (post 1700) +

  • June Callwood (1924-2007), Canadian journalist, author and social activist. In 1978, she was made a member of the Order of Canada. She was promoted to Officer in 1985, and promoted again to Companion in 2000. In 1988, she was awarded the Order of Ontario


The Callwood 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: Veritas premitur non opprimitur
Motto Translation: Truth may be kept down, but not crushed.


  1. 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)


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