Call History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

England

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The Call surname is an old Norman name, derived from the French word "cale" which was a close fitting cap worn by women of the times.

Early Origins of the Call family

The surname Call was first found in Wiltshire, where a Swanus Calle is on record in the Rotuli Hundredorum (the Hundredorum Rolls) in 1275. In 1279, John Calle was recorded in Cambridgeshire, in that same collection of documents.

Early History of the Call family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Call research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1307 is included under the topic Early Call History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Call Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Call, Calle, Calles, Caules and others.

Early Notables of the Call family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir John Call of Cornwall, who was made a Baronet in the 18th century

Call Ranking

In the United States, the name Call is the 1,974^th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Call family to Ireland

Some of the Call family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Call migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Call or a variant listed above:

Call Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Bennet Call, who settled in New England in 1637
Mary Call, who arrived in New England in 1637 2
Mr. Augsten Call, British settler departing May 1637 from England aboard the ship "Mary Ann" arriving in Boston, Massachusetts, United States on 20 June 1637, heading for Salem 3
Mrs. Alles Call, British settler departing May 1637 from England aboard the ship "Mary Ann" arriving in Boston, Massachusetts, United States on 20 June 1637, heading for Salem 3
Philip Call, who arrived in Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1662 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Call Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

P Call, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1788 2

Call Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles Call, who arrived in New York in 1834 2
F W Call, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
H Call, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
Mr. Call, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
C Call, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Call migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Call Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Francois Call, who arrived in Montreal in 1662

Call Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Call, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
John Call, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia between the years 1749-1752

Call Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Call, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833
Rose Call, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833
Catherine Call, aged 6 months, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833
Bridget Call, who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick from Ireland in 1842

Call migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Call Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Mary Ann Call who was convicted in Exeter, Devon, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 16th November 1843, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4

Call 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:

Call Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Patrick Call, aged 23, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arethusa" in 1879

Contemporary Notables of the name Call (post 1700) +

Harrison Orlando Call (1842-1926), veteran of the American Civil War, a teacher, farmer, Sheriff, Postmaster, Councilman, member of the School Board, and Deacon of the Baptist Church in Michigan
Brandon Spencer Lee Call (b. 1976), American two-time Young Artist Award winning child television and film actor, known for his work in Step by Step (1991), Santa Barbara (1984) and Blind Fury (1989)
R. D. Call (b. 1950), American film and television actor, known for his work in Waterworld (1995), Into the Wild (2007) and Murder by Numbers (2002)
Richard Keith Call (1792-1862), American plantation owner and politician, the 3rd and 5th Territorial Governor of Florida (1836-1839) and (1841-1844)
Anson Call (1810-1890), Mormon pioneer, an early colonizer of many communities in Utah Territory
Annie Payson Call (1853-1940), American author who wrote several books and published articles in Ladies' Home Journal
Corporal Donald M. Call (1896-1984), United States Army soldier awarded the Medal of Honor
Ann Lowdon Call (1945-2007), American horsewoman, 2005 AQHA Select World Champion
C. D. Call, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Kentucky State House of Representatives 66th District, 1944-45 5
Byron Niman Call (b. 1863), American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in Newcastle, 1904-11 5
... (Another 22 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Call 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: Grata manu
Motto Translation: With a grateful hand.