Cullom History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the Cullom 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 Cullom family

The surname Cullom 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 Cullom family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cullom 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 Cullom History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cullom 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 Cullom family

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

Migration of the Cullom family to Ireland

Some of the Cullom 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.

Migration of the Cullom family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Malcolm Maccallum, who was on record in Boston in 1650; Micam MacCallum, who arrived in Boston in 1651; Archibald Maccallum, a Scotch Prisoner sent to New Jersey in 1685.

Contemporary Notables of the name Cullom (post 1700) +

William Cullom (1810-1896), American politician, Representative from Tennessee, 1851-55; Delegate to Whig National Convention from Tennessee, 1852 2
Shelby Moore Cullom (1829-1914), American Republican politician, Member of Illinois State House of Representatives, 1856, 1860-61, 1872-74; Governor of Illinois, 1877-83; U.S. Senator from Illinois, 1883-1913 2
Henry C. Cullom, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Joliet, Illinois, 1890-94 2
Edward N. Cullom, American politician, Delegate to Illinois State Constitutional Convention from Crawford County, 1818 2
Alvin Cullom (1797-1877), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Tennessee State House of Representatives, 1835-37; U.S. Representative from Tennessee 4th District, 1843-47; Circuit Judge in Tennessee, 1850-52 2
James Henry Cullom (1925-1998), American NFL football guard for the New York Yanks in 1951
Alvan Cullom (1797-1877), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee (1843-1847)
William Cullom (1810-1896), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee (1851-1853)
Shelby Moore Cullom (1829-1914), American politician, 17th Governor of Illinois (1877-1883)
Shelby Cullom Davis (1909-1994), American investment banker, philanthropist, and former United States Ambassador to Switzerland

The Cullom 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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 26) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html