Killoomb History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Killoomb is one of the many names that the Normans brought with them when they conquered England in 1066. The Killoomb family lived at Kelham in Nottinghamshire, a parish northwest of Newark. The name Killoomb is derived from the Old Norse expression for at the ridges. It is most commonly found in Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire.

Early Origins of the Killoomb family

The surname Killoomb 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 Killoomb family

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

Killoomb Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Kellam, Kelham and others.

Early Notables of the Killoomb family

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

Migration of the Killoomb family

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Killoomb name or one of its variants: 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 Killoomb 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.

Citations +

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