Callum History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The root of the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name Callum is the Scottish name MacCallum, which means "the son of the gillie of Callum." However, the full form of the name was used until the 17th century. The Callums were an import branch of the Clan McLeod of Raasay.
Early Origins of the Callum family
The surname Callum 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 held a family seat from very early times.
Early History of the Callum family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Callum research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1636 is included under the topic Early Callum History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Callum Spelling Variations
The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years Callum has appeared as Callum, MacColum, MacCallum, Colum, Callam, Callem, Calam and many more.
Early Notables of the Callum family
Notable amongst the Clan from early times was
- Callum of Poltalloch Castle
Migration of the Callum family to Ireland
Some of the Callum family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Callum migration to the United States +
Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The Callum were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown:
Callum Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
- Derminuff Callum, who landed in Virginia in 1656 1
Callum Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Patrick Callum who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1868
Contemporary Notables of the name Callum (post 1700) +
- Callum Chiplin, British actor and writer, known for The King's Man (2021), Zack Snyder's Justice League and Ready Player One (2018)
- Callum Maycock (b. 1997), English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Solihull Moors
- Callum Blue (b. 1977), English actor, best known for his roles in Dead Like Me (2003), he has also achieved other hits with Related (2005) and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004)
- Callum Henry McManaman (b. 1991), English footballer who plays for Wigan Athletic
- Callum Leander William McNish (b. 1992), English footballer
- Callum David Thorp (b. 1975), professional Australian cricketer
- Callum Jeffrey McFadzean (b. 1994), English footballer from Sheffield
- Callum Windley (b. 1991), English professional rugby league player
- Callum John Geldart (b. 1991), English first-class cricketer
The Callum 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 tendit
Motto Translation: He reaches towards things difficult of attainment.
Citations +
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)