Kelso History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Scotland

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There is a town of Kelso in the Scottish Borders region, which followed from the creation of Kelso Abbey at that location in 1128. It is thought that in Scotland, Kelso was taken on as a surname from the place name.

Early Origins of the Kelso family

The surname Kelso was first found in Roxburghshire, where they were granted lands by King Malcolm Canmore, King of Scotland, consisting of the Abbey and estates of Kelso, originally the Abbey of Selkirk.

Early History of the Kelso family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kelso research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1076, 1180, 1214, 1296, 1300 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Kelso History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kelso Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kelso and others.

Early Notables of the Kelso family

Notable among the family at this time was

Kelso of Kelsoland

Kelso Ranking

In the United States, the name Kelso is the 3,589^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Kelso family to Ireland

Some of the Kelso family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kelso migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kelso Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Kelso, who landed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1635 2

Kelso Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hugh Kelso, who landed in New England in 1718 2
Samuel Kelso, who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina with his wife and seven children in 1767
Elizabeth Kelso, who settled in Wilmington in 1774
Elizabeth Kelso, who landed in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1774 2

Kelso Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles Kelso, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 2
Joseph Kelso, aged 20, who landed in New York in 1812 2
Mathew Kelso, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1821 2
John Kelso, who arrived in Mississippi in 1848 2
James, Oliver, Paul, Robert and William Kelso all, who arrived in Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kelso migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kelso Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Kelso Alexander U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 3
Mr. Kelso Daniel U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Cape Ann Association 3
Mr. Kelso William U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Cape Ann Association 3

Kelso migration to Australia +

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

Kelso Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Elizabeth Kelso, (b. 1783), aged 20, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4
Mr. Gilbert Kelso, (b. 1796), aged 27, Irish soldier who was convicted in Antrim, Northern Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Castle Forbes" on 28th September 1823, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5
Miss Mary Ann Kelso, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Buffalo" on 4th May 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 6

Kelso 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:

Kelso Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Archibald Kelso, aged 23, a blacksmith, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Resolute" in 1865
Miss Ann Kelso, (b. 1848), aged 19, British domestic servant travelling from London aboard the ship "Lancashire Witch" sailing to Auckland and Lyttelton, New Zealand on 29th July 1867 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Kelso (post 1700) +

Thomas Kelso (1784-1878), Irish-born, American philanthropist
Mark Kelso (b. 1963), former Buffalo Bills defensive back
Jack W. Kelso (1934-1952), Medal of Honor recipient
Bill Kelso (1940-2009), Major League Baseball pitcher
Frank Benton Kelso II (1933-2013), United States Navy admiral, who served as Chief of Naval Operations in the early 1990s
Ed Kelso (1910-1969), American writer and screenwriter
Louis O Kelso (1913-1991), American lawyer and economic thinker
Ed Kelso, American Republican politician, Chair of Switzerland County Republican Party, 1905 8
Daniel Kelso (1803-1857), American politician, Member of Indiana State House of Representatives, 1833-35, 1848-49; Member of Indiana State Senate, 1842-43; Delegate to Indiana State Constitutional Convention, 1850-51 8
Charles W. Kelso, American politician, Burgess of Erie, Pennsylvania, 1845, 1848 8
... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Kelso 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: Otium cum dignitate
Motto Translation: Repose with dignity.