Surname Calhoun - Meaning and Origin

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Calhoun: What does the surname Calhoun mean?

The last name Calhoun is an ancient Scottish surname, originating from the place names of Calhoun in Aberdeenshire or Coulone in Aberdeenshire. The word calhoun is of Celtic origin, deriving from the Gaelic word 'cuileann', meaning 'hazel wood' or 'coppice'.

Historically, the Calhouns were part of a clan system in Scotland and Ireland, meaning that they had shared economic, political and social benefits and responsibilities with other families of the same surname. This clan system not only kept the Calhouns safe and prosperous during times of war but also allowed them to have a large degree of autonomy when it came to sustaining themselves.

The Calhoun family motto is 'Virtus sola invicta' which translates to 'Virtue alone is invincible'. This phrase expresses the Calhoun emphasis on strength of character and the belief that hard work and personal courage are the keys to success.

The surname Calhoun is associated with Scottish-Americans and Irish-Americans today, which makes sense given Calhoun's ancient Scottish beginnings. Though members of this clan are scattered all over the world now, they share a deep connection to their clan roots and a drive to be successful against all odds.

Calhoun: Where does the name Calhoun come from?

The Calhoun surname is found in several countries and regions today, including Ireland, Scotland, England, Australia, and the United States. In the U.S., the Calhoun surname is particularly common in the southern states, particularly in North and South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. Upon further investigation, it appears that the Calhoun surname is more heavily concentrated in the southern coastal and mountain regions of the United States.

Originally, the Calhoun surname is believed to have come from the Scottish/Gaelic personal name “Ceallachan”, and was also once associated with an Irish clan from County Clare, which was dispersed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. It is thought that the first Calhouns to set foot in North America were a mixture of Scottish-Irish immigrants, who first settled in the colonies of South Carolina and Virginia in the mid-1700s. Since then, many Calhouns have settled in many other areas of the United States, including the Appalachian region, where the elevation is higher and the landscapes are breathtaking.

Today, the surname continues to be quite popular and is associated with many historical figures, including South Carolina senator and former Vice President John C. Calhoun. The surname is also commonly found among the Cherokee Nation.

Variations of the surname Calhoun

The surname Calhoun has several variants, spellings, and surnames used to describe the same origin.

Calhoun (as it is most commonly spelled) is an Irish name derived from the Gaelic name Ó Cathamhna, which translates to “descendant of Cathamhnach”, an ancient Celtic warrior. One variant of this name is the spelling Calhoon. Another variant is Colquhoun, which is a Scottish transcription of the same name.

Calhoun is also a variant of the Irish surnames Colhoun, Colough, Colquhoun, and Coulton. The latter three variants are derived from the Gaelic Ó Cuil Duinn, meaning “descendant of Cuileann” and were commonly found in Ulster.

In addition, Calhoun is a variant of the Scottish surname Colquhoun. This surname was also derived from the Gaelic Ó Cuil Duinn, but the latter three variants were more common in Scotland than they were in Ireland.

Finally, Calhoun is also a variant of the English surname Colhoun, which originated from the Old English word "colf" meaning "of the charcoal".

The different spellings and surnames of Calhoun trace back to a single origin, meaning that they all represent variations of the same name. Many of these variations were a result of different customs and languages used between Ireland and Scotland, demonstrating how culture and language can shape the same surname.

Famous people with the name Calhoun

• John C. Calhoun: Served as the seventh Vice President of the United States from 1825 to 1832 under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson.
• John B. Calhoun: A United States Representative and Senator from South Carolina and a United States Secretary of War.
• John B. Calhoun Jr.: Son of John B. Calhoun and a U.S. Army General in the Confederate States Army.
• Calhoun Bend: An Appalachian folk singer-songwriter and the founder of the acclaimed record label, Rosewood Records.
• A.L. Calhoun: An American old-time and country musician, singer and multi-instrumentalist.
• Francis A. Calhoun: A rear admiral in the United States Navy who served during World War II.
• James Pat Calhoun: An American professional basketball coach who most recently served as an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA.
• Charles Calhoun: An American historian whose specialty is African-American history.
• W.D. Calhoun: An American paleontologist and a professor in the department of earth sciences at the University of California, Riverside.
• Elaine Calhoun: A Canadian badminton player who won the bronze medal at the Pan American Games in 1959.

Other surnames

Calhoon