Show ContentsKillom History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Killom is a name that was brought to England by the ancestors of the Killom family when they migrated to the region after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The Killom family lived at Kelham in Nottinghamshire, a parish northwest of Newark. The name Killom is derived from the Old Norse expression for at the ridges. It is most commonly found in Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire.

Early Origins of the Killom family

The surname Killom was first found in Nottinghamshire. "A Norman family, who derive their name from Kelham, near Newark-upon-Trent, co. Nottingham, where they were seated at an early period. They still bear in their arms three covered cups, in allusion to the office of cup-bearer to Alan, earl of Richmond, the Conqueror's son-in-law, which was held by their ancestor. " [1]

This was the place that Charles I. spent his last night before he gave himself up to the Scottish army, who encamped on the spot in May, 1646. [2]

Early History of the Killom family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Killom research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Killom History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Killom Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Killom have been found, including Kellam, Kelham and others.

Early Notables of the Killom family

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

Migration of the Killom family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Killom were among those contributors: Patrick Kellam arrived in Philadelphia in 1840; John Kelham arrived in New Orleans in 1821; Timothy Kelham arrived in Boston in 1763 with his wife and servants..



The Killom 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: Beneficiorum memor
Motto Translation: Mindful of benefits.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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