Chisholm History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Chisholm

What does the name Chisholm mean?

Behind the name Chisholm is a story that begins in the ancient Scottish-English border region among the clans of the Boernician tribe. The Chisholm family lived in the Barony of Chisolm in the Parish of Roberton, Roxburghshire. The Gaelic form of the name is Siosalach and together the Clan is known as An Siosalach.

Chisholm Coat of Arms Creation

According to Scottish lore, it is uncertain if the family came to Inverness-shire from the Borders or from Caithness, but it is claimed that they had the boar's head as their crest before they came. It is said that at one time Glenconvinth was infested with wild boars which were a terror to the people, who, on one occasion, assembled to hunt out the last of them.

Among the number was the Master of Chisholm. After sharpening his spear, a young man advanced to kill the animal, which was seen not far off. His courage, however, failed, and then young Chisholm asked to be permitted to attack it. With sharpened spear he went forward undismayed by his antagonist, and, as it was in the act of springing, he pierced the animal in the neck and then stood on the body. Since then, at any rate, the crest of the family is a right hand holding a dagger on the point of which is a boar's head ; and the motto is " Feros ferio " (I strike the fierce). 1

Early Origins of the Chisholm family

The surname Chisholm was first found in Roxburghshire, from the barony of Chisholm. One of the first times the name was listed was John de Chesehelme, in Roxburghshire in 1254. Robert de Chesholme was custodian of Urchard Castle in the 1300s. By the mid-14th century, much of the family had moved north: Robert de Chesholme appears as the sheriff of Inverness in 1359. Many feel that Robert was the founder of the Clan.

"The first of the name recorded is John de Chesehelme, mentioned in a bull of Pope Alexander IV, 1254. John de Chesolm of Berwickshire, and Richard de Chesehelme of Roxburghshire rendered homage in 1296. The seal of the latter bears on a heater shield, a boar s head, couped, contoume, dropping blood, and S' Ricardi de Cheishelm." 2

Early History of the Chisholm family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chisholm research. Another 472 words (34 lines of text) covering the years 1176, 1315, 1348, 1359, 1369, 1439, 1486, 1499, 1512, 1513, 1527, 1561, 1564, 1593, 1603, 1605, 1629, 1647, 1684, 1715, 1785 and 1795 are included under the topic Early Chisholm History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chisholm Spelling Variations

Before the printing press and the first dictionaries appeared, names and other words were often spelled differently every time they were written. Chisholm has appeared under the variations Chisholme, Chisum, Chissum, Chissolm, Chissholm, Chisolt, Chism, Chisholm, Chisham, Chiseholm, Chisam and many more.

Early Notables of the Chisholm family

William Chisholm (d. 1564), Bishop of Dunblane, the second son of Edmund Chisholm of Cromlix, near Dunblane, a son of Chisholm of that Ilk in Rhoxburghshire and half-brother of James Chisholm, who was...
Another William Chisholm (d. 1593), was Bishop of Dunblane and Bishop of Vaison, a son of Chisholm of Cromlix, and nephew to William Chisholm, bishop of Dunblane from 1527 to 1564, to whom he was appo...
another William Chisholm (d. 1629), was Bishop of Vaison, nephew of William Chisholm the second, bishop of Dunblane and Vaison, and succeeded his uncle, by the special license of Pope Gregory XIII, as...
Alexander Chisholm, helped plan the defense of Inverness against the Royalists in the English Civil war (1647). A later Alexander Chisholm, was a chief of the Clan, succeeding in 1785

Chisholm World Ranking

the United States, the name Chisholm is the 2,773^rd most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Chisholm is ranked the 732^nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,311 people with that name. 4 And in New Zealand, the name Chisholm is the 677^th popular surname with an estimated 1,049 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Chisholm family to Ireland

Some of the Chisholm family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chisholm migration to the United States +

The Scots who crossed the Atlantic were often on the run from poverty as well as persecution. They brought little with them, and often had nothing of their home country to hand down to their children. In the 20th century, Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations have helped the ancestors of Boernician Scots to recover their lost national legacy. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Chisholm were among those contributors:

Chisholm Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Adam Chisholm, who landed in Virginia in 1716 7
Alexander Chisholm, who landed in America in 1717 7
Jean Chisholm, who arrived in New York in 1773 7
Hugh Chisholm, who arrived in America in 1774 7
John Chisholm, who landed in Albany, NY in 1776 7

Chisholm Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Malcolm Chisholm, who arrived in Texas in 1841 7
Walter Chisholm, who arrived in New York, NY in 1843 7
Donald Chisholm, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1877 7

Chisholm migration to Canada +

Chisholm Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Archibald Chisholm, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Mr. George Chisholm U.E. (b. 1752) born in Inverness, Scotland from Kortright Township, New York, USA who settled in Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia c. 1782 resettled in Niagara, [Fort Erie] in c. 1791 then Burlinton Bay he enlisted in 1777 joined the King's Royal Regiment of New York with Captain John MacDonell, then Captain Normand Tolmie Highland Volunteer Regiment in 1778, married to Barbara MacKenzie they had 9 children he died in Burlington, Ontario 8
Mr. George Chisholm U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 8
Mr. Hugh Chisholm U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1783 8
Mr. James Chisholm U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 451 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Chisholm Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Donald Chisholm, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
William Chisholm, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
William Chisholm, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
John Chisholm, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
Margaret Chisholm, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Chisholm migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet

Mr. James Chisholm, (1772 - 1837), aged 18, Scottish solider, and support staff from West Lothian, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 6

Following the Second Fleet, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Chisholm Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Murdock Chisholm, (Murday), (b. 1807), aged 15, Scottish shoe maker who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 13th July 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
William Chisholm, a cabinet-maker, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
Mr. David Chisholm, (b. 1809), aged 19, Scottish sawyer who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 7 years for assault, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 13th March 1828, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1862 10
Mr. James Chisholm, (b. 1816), aged 18, Welsh convict who was convicted in Glamorganshire, Wales for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 27th September 1834, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Miss Catharine Chisholm, (Hall), Scottish Convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atwick" on 28 September 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Chisholm 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:

Chisholm Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Adam Chisholm, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Adam Chisholm, aged 30, a shepherd, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
Mr. Adam Chisholm, (b. 1810), aged 30, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Slains Castle" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 25th January 1841 12
A. Chisholm, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Palmyra" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 19th February 1858 12
Mr. Duncan Chisholm, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Tamar" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 28th January 1858 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Chisholm (post 1700) +

Anthony Chisholm (1943-2020), American Tony award nominated actor
Roderick Milton Chisholm (1916-1999), American philosopher and Professor at Brown University
Julius J. Chisholm, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Cayuga County 1st District, 1900 13
Jim Chisholm, American politician, Candidate for justice of Texas State Supreme Court, 2012 14
Jeannette C. Chisholm, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 1932 14
Hugh Chisholm (b. 1855), American politician, Member of Michigan State House of Representatives from Gratiot County, 1891-92 14
Elijah H. Chisholm, American politician, Member of Massachusetts State House of Representatives from New Bedford; Elected 1865 14
Diane L. Chisholm, American Libertarian politician, Candidate for Texas State House of Representatives 64th District, 2010 14
David B. Chisholm, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Mayor of Mamaroneck, New York, 1957 14
... (Another 19 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Chisholm family +

Grover Shoe factory

Mrs. Chisholm, American employee of the Grover Shoe factory in Brockton, Massachusetts on 20th March 1905 when the boiler exploded and collapsed the wooden building; she survived 14
Mrs. Catherine Chisholm (1899-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15
Mr. Robert Daniel Fletcher Chisholm, English Second Steward from New Brighton, Cheshire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 16
Mr. Roderick Robert Crispin Chisholm (d. 1912), aged 40, Irish Draughtsman from Belfast, Ireland who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 17
Mr. Roderick Robert Crispin Chisholm (d. 1912), aged 40, Irish First Class passenger from Belfast, Ireland who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 18

The Chisholm 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: Feros ferio
Motto Translation: I am fierce with the fiercest

Sources +

Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 23rd August 2020 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atwick
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 21) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
California Digital Newspaper from 21st March 1905 (retrieved on 5th August 2021.) Retrieved from https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19050321.2.19&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html