Malcolm History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the Malcolm family were born. Their name comes from the Gaelic personal name "MacChaluim" which means "son of Calum," oe "son of St. Colomba." The names MacCallum and Malcolm are used interchangeably as Calum is the often Anglicized as Malcolm. 1

Early Origins of the Malcolm family

The surname Malcolm 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 quickly attained the status of Clan. Their ancient Clan seat was at Poltalloch near Loch Craignish.

The related Clan Calum is said to have been from Ariskeodnish. One of the earliest records of the name was Reginald MacCallum of Corbarron who was made the hereditary constable of Craignish Castle in 1414. Sir Duncan Campbell granted him lands in Craignish and on Loch Avich. This arrangement demonstrates the strong alliance between the MacCallums and the Campbells of Argyll; an arrangement which made them deadly foes of the MacDonalds.

In 1647, Sir Alexander MacDonald killed Zacharie MacCallum, a supporter of the Campbell Chief, in battle at Ederline. In the 17th century, another Zachary Maccallum was bequeathed the Cobarron lands by the last of that branch.

Early History of the Malcolm family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Malcolm research. Another 270 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1562, 1647, 1665, 1779, 1793, 1800, 1850 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Malcolm History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Malcolm Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Malcolmson, Malcollm, Malcom, Malcomb, Malcome, Malcomson, Malcum, MacCallam, MacCallum and many more.

Early Notables of the Malcolm family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

Malcolm World Ranking

In the United States, the name Malcolm is the 2,779th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 2 However, in Australia, the name Malcolm is ranked the 980th most popular surname with an estimated 4,044 people with that name. 3 And in New Zealand, the name Malcolm is the 386th popular surname with an estimated 1,681 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Malcolm family to Ireland

Some of the Malcolm family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 127 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Malcolm migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Malcolm Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Malcolm Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Malcolm Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Malcolm migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Malcolm Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Malcolm Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Malcolm migration to Australia +

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

Malcolm Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Malcolm 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:

Malcolm Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Malcolm migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 13
Malcolm Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Malcolm (post 1700) +


The Malcolm 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 petit
Motto Translation: He has attempted difficult things.
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