Show ContentsCaltender History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The story of the Caltender family begins in ancient Scotland among the Pictish clans. The Caltender family lived on the lands or barony of Callander in Perthshire. The name is quite mistakenly thought of as an occupational name derived from the trade of calendering or glossing cloth. Scholars seem to agree that this name was not related to the calendar of the months.

Early Origins of the Caltender family

The surname Caltender was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland. "This place derives its name, of Gaelic origin, from an ancient ferry across the river Teath, the principal road to which lay within its limits." 1

Early History of the Caltender family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Caltender research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1296 and 1360 are included under the topic Early Caltender History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Caltender Spelling Variations

Translation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Caltender has appeared Callander, Callender, Callandar, Callenter, Kalender, Calenter and many more.

Early Notables of the Caltender family

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

Migration of the Caltender family

Many Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Caltender name: William Callender who settled in Virginia in 1650; Alistair Callender settled in Boston in 1651; R. Callandar settled in New England in 1761; Alexander Callender is one of the 36 original signers of the Declaration of Independence about 1683 in South Carolina..



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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