Kellum History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Kellum is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Kellum family lived at Kelham in Nottinghamshire, a parish northwest of Newark. The name Kellum is derived from the Old Norse expression for at the ridges. It is most commonly found in Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire.

Early Origins of the Kellum family

The surname Kellum was first found in Nottinghamshire. "A Norman family, who derive their name from Kelham, near Newark-upon-Trent, co. Nottingham, where they were seated at an early period. They still bear in their arms three covered cups, in allusion to the office of cup-bearer to Alan, earl of Richmond, the Conqueror's son-in-law, which was held by their ancestor. " 1

This was the place that Charles I. spent his last night before he gave himself up to the Scottish army, who encamped on the spot in May, 1646. 2

Early History of the Kellum family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kellum research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kellum History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kellum Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Kellum include Kellam, Kelham and others.

Early Notables of the Kellum family

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

Kellum Ranking

In the United States, the name Kellum is the 4,495^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 3

Kellum migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Kellums to arrive on North American shores:

Kellum Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Rich Kellum, aged 16, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Primrose" 4
Richard Kellum, who arrived in Virginia in 1649 4
John Kellum, who landed in Virginia in 1664 4
Peter Kellum, who arrived in Virginia in 1666 4
William Kellum, who landed in Virginia in 1666 4

Kellum Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Ole J.S. Kellum, aged 24, who landed in America, in 1896

Kellum Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Kate Kellum, who landed in America, in 1905
Margaret D. Kellum, who settled in America, in 1906
Newton Erle Kellum, aged 8, who immigrated to the United States, in 1906
James L. Kellum, aged 6, who settled in America, in 1906
Theodore Kellum, aged 43, who immigrated to America, in 1911
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kellum migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kellum Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

George Kellum, who landed in Canada in 1841
Jason Kellum, who arrived in Canada in 1841
John Kellum, who arrived in Canada in 1841
Lebbeus Kellum, who landed in Canada in 1841

Contemporary Notables of the name Kellum (post 1700) +

Marvin Kellum (1952-2023), American NFL football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-1976), twice Super Bowl champion (IX, X)
Marv Kellum (b. 1952), American retired professional American NFL football player
John Kellum (1809-1871), American architect in New York city, best known for his work for Alexander T. Stewart, the department store magnate
Winford Ansley Kellum (1876-1951), American Major League Baseball starting pitcher (1901 to 1905)
Robert Kellum (b. 1973), American professional wrestler and actor, best known as The Maestro
Z. Everett Kellum, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for U.S. Senator from Iowa, 1948 5
Woodus Kellum (b. 1878), American Democratic Party politician, Member of North Carolina State House of Representatives from New Hanover County, 1911-14 5

The Kellum 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: Beneficiorum memor
Motto Translation: Mindful of benefits.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html