Surname Callum - Meaning and Origin

Callum: What does the surname Callum mean?

The last name Callum is of Scottish and northern Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Calum", which means "dove" in Latin. The name Calum is often regarded as the Gaelic form of the given name, Columba, which became popular due to Saint Columba, a Christian missionary from Ireland who helped introduce Christianity to the people during the Early Middle Ages. As a surname, Callum is sometimes associated with peace and purity, symbolized by the dove. The name is also associated with traits like wisdom and loyalty. The use of Callum as a surname tends to be more prevalent in Scotland and other regions with strong Scottish or Celtic heritage. It's worth noting that the spelling and pronunciation of surnames can vary greatly over time and from one region to another. Therefore, Callum may also appear in various other forms such as Callam, Calum, or Colum.

Callum: Where does the name Callum come from?

The last name Callum is of Scottish and Irish origin. This surname is a derivative of the personal name "Callum," which itself is derived from the Gaelic name "Calum," meaning "dove" in Gaelic. The name gained popularity through Saint Columba, an Irish abbot and missionary who spread Christianity in Scotland.

Callum is not typically used as a last name; instead, it is more often used as a first name in contemporary society. However, wherever it is used as a surname, it can be found in places with a significant Scottish and Irish diaspora, such as in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It can also be found in the British Isles, particularly in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Despite its Gaelic origins, this surname is relatively rare in modern Ireland. This could be due to the cultural practice of Gaelicizing English names during the revival of the Irish language in the 19th and 20th centuries. Consequently, some bearers of the Callum name might have opted to change their names to its descriptive Gaelic equivalent, Colum or Colm.

Variations of the surname Callum

The surname Callum is of Scottish origin and refers to the personal name "Columba" which was borne by the famous 6th-century Irish monk who established a monastery on the island of Iona. Variants of the surname Callum include Callam, Callan, Callin, Callon, Callum, Calman, Colman, Coulman, and Kallum. It could also be a variant of the surname MacCallum which carries the same meaning.

Callum is often confused with the similar sounding surnames Callam and Callan, but they are not necessarily of the same origin. These surnames may instead be derived from the Gaelic word 'cailin' meaning 'girl' or 'young woman'.

There is also the possibility that the surname Callum could have been Anglicized from the Gaelic surnames MacColum and MacColm, both of which mean "son of Colum". Despite these potential different origins, they are often considered variants of each other due to their similar pronunciation and spelling.

It should be noted that the spelling of surnames can vary greatly over time and depending on the region, so many other spellings are potentially possible. Furthermore, the use of these variants can often vary depending on family traditions or personal preference.

Famous people with the name Callum

• Callum Wilson: An English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Newcastle United and the England national team.
• Callum Blue: A British actor best known for his roles on the show "Dead Like Me" and in "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement".
• Callum Keith Rennie: A British-Canadian television and film actor. He is known for his role in the television series "Due South" and also in "Battlestar Galactica".
• Callum Hudson-Odoi: An English professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club Chelsea and the England national team.
• Callum Turner: An English actor and model, known for his roles in "The Capture" and "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald".
• Callum Smith: A British professional boxer who held the WBA and Ring magazine super-middleweight titles from 2018 to 2020.
• Callum Paterson: A Scottish professional footballer who plays as a right back or striker for Championship club Sheffield Wednesday and the Scotland national team.
• Callum Ilott : A British racing driver, currently a test driver for Alfa Romeo Racing in Formula One.
• Callum Davidson: A Scottish professional footballer and football coach, who is currently the manager of St Johnstone.

Other surnames

Calluwaert