Show ContentsCalow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Calow

What does the name Calow mean?

Calow is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a shy or introverted person. An alternate derivation of the surname comes from the Old English, where Callow means the bald or bare hill. In such a case it could have been a nickname for a bald person, or a name given to someone who lived near a prominent treeless hill.

Early Origins of the Calow family

The surname Calow was first found in Worcestershire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Calow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Calow research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1487 is included under the topic Early Calow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Calow Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Calow were recorded, including Callow, Calow and others.

Early Notables of the Calow family

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

Migration of the Calow family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Calow family emigrate to North America: Christian Callow who settled in New England in 1698; John Callow arrived in Philadelphia in 1813.


Contemporary Notables of the name Calow (post 1700) +

  • Charles John Herbert Calow (1931-2024), Northern Irish footballer who played as a goalkeeper


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