Surname Kellam - Meaning and Origin

Kellam: What does the surname Kellam mean?

The surname Kellam is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has multiple potential meanings. It is most commonly believed to be a location-based surname referring to people who originally lived or were born in the village of Kellam, which existed in England during the Anglo-Saxon period.

Some sources indicate that Kellam may also derive from the Gaelic word "ceall" meaning "church" and the Anglo-Saxon term "ham" which stands for "homestead" or "village," suggesting Kellam could mean "the village with the church." Another interpretation suggests it could stem from the Old Norse name "Ketill" meaning "helmet" or "Cauldron", and the Saxon term "ham" indicating a place or homestead – rendering "Ketill's homestead."

However, no direct consensus exists on its meaning and it can vary depending upon different ancestral lines and historical contexts. Today, it is primarily used as a surname around the world.

Kellam: Where does the name Kellam come from?

The last name Kellam is of English origin, and it primarily originated from the northern region of England. The name is a habitational surname that can be traced back to medieval times and it is derived from any of the several places known as Kellam, like Kelham in Nottinghamshire, or Kellom in Lincolnshire. These places were named in Old Norse as 'kelda' meaning spring plus 'holm' as an island or piece of dry land in a fen.

Today, the surname Kellam is most common in the United States, specifically in the state of Virginia. It is also prevalent in England, where its roots lie. However, it's important to note that it is not a very common surname globally, even in these areas. Despite this, the advent of the internet and global connectivity has spread the Kellam surname across various parts of the world, including Australia and Canada. The exact number, though, remains quite small compared to other surnames. Overall, while Kellam has an English origin, its contemporary distribution is more global, albeit in limited numbers.

Variations of the surname Kellam

The surname Kellam has a few variants and alternative spellings. They include Kellum, Kellamson, Kellums, Kellams, Kellems, and Kellimson. Some other forms of the name might be Callam, Callum, Kellamore, and Kellamson.

Regarding the origin, this surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and it has two probable sources. The first of these is a locational name from any of the various places called Kellam or Kellum in England. The second source is from the Middle English personal name "Kell", a diminutive of "Kelle", plus the patronymic suffix "-son", sons of Kelle. Hence, some surnames of the same origin might include Kelson, Kellson and Kelle.

It should be noted that the presence of multiple variants and spellings stems from factors like dialectical differences, illiteracy or semi-literacy in early times, and incorrect transcription. These variants and spellings often have the same origin and give an idea of how our ancestors tried to phonetically spell out their names.

Famous people with the name Kellam

• Keith Kellam: former United States Navy flag officer.
• Kristin Kellam: American Paralympic swimmer.
• Tom Kellam: American football player and coach.
• Joyce Kellam: British Labour Party politician.
• Robby Kellam: American former drummer.
• Matt Kellam: English cricketer.
• Catherin Kellam: American author and business speaker.
• DeAndre Kellam: American basketball player.
• Scott Kellam: American country music singer and songwriter.
• Jack Kellam: Australian soccer player.
• R.J. Kellam: American medievalist and professor.
• T.R. Kellam: British Royal Navy admiral.
• Ray Kellam: American actor.
• Andy Kellam: English former cricketer.
• Nora Hamilton Kellam: American fiction author.
• Jack R. Kellam: American Republican politician.
• Ben Kellam: Australian artist and edition printer.
• Jeff Kellam: American stock car racing driver.
• O. B. Kellam: American historian.
• Barton W. Kellam: American film and TV editor.

Other surnames

KellahanKellarKellaway