Callem History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Callem

What does the name Callem mean?

The sea-swept Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the Callem family. Their name comes from 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 Callem family

The surname Callem 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 Callem family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Callem research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1636 is included under the topic Early Callem History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Callem Spelling Variations

Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. Callem has been written as Callum, MacColum, MacCallum, Colum, Callam, Callem, Calam and many more.

Early Notables of the Callem family

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

Migration of the Callem family to Ireland

Some of the Callem 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.

Migration of the Callem family

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Callem or a variant listed above: Patrick Callum who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1868.

The Callem 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.