From the notes of James Tillotson:
Miscellaneous Notes about McCallums collected in Scotland in 1984:
Name: follower/devotee/son of Columba (St. Columba’s name is Colm in the original Gaelic form, and he is distinguished from others with the same name by the suffix meaning cell: Columchille). MacCallum means son of Colm, and although it does not indicate descent from Columba, the MacCallums do originate in the ancient kingdom of Dalriada settled by the first Scots from Ireland.
Personal Name: Calum
Name origin: St. Columba = Colm in Gaelic, nobleman turned monk who brought christianity to Scotland (Argyll) from Ireland; Son of Callum (bald dove) [CMMS] Both the names MacCallum and Malcolm derive from the Gaelic name of St. Columba of the Celtic Church, who brought Christianity to Scotland. The Gaelic names are Colm or Callum (Chaluim). Maol Colm seems to be an ancient form of Malcolm, and Callum seems to be closer to the original Gaelic. Roughly the names mean a “Devotee” or “Servent” of St Columba, may have originally referred to an ecclesiastical position of duty.
Gaelic Names: Mac Chaluim (devotee of St. Columba), Maol Chalium (devotee of St. Columba), Clann Caluim, Mac Mhaol Chalium, Mac Coluimb, Mac Guille Chaluim Family Origin and History: REF: Genealogy of Clan in Gaelic MS of 1450 the Clan Calum is said to be originally designated as of Ariskeodnich The district of Lorn, Argyllshire is generally regarded as the country of the MacCallums; and Colgin, about 3 1/2 miles from Oban has long been considered the headquarters of the MacCallums. Once upon a time the Laird of Colgin had a family of twelve handsome sons. On a certain Sunday he went with them to the church of Kilbride, entering the edifice at their head, and his sons following him in order according to their ages. The lady of MacDougall of Lorn was in the church and inquired who tha man was with the large family of sons. Being informed that it was the Laord of Colgin she replied: “A third of Scotland would not be too much for MacCallum.” From that day his family began to pine away, til only three were left. MacCallum being advised to send the survivors from home he prepared horses with panniers and gave one to each of the lads. He then sent them away with the direction to take up their residence in what ever place the panniers would fall off the horses. The panniers of the horse of one of them having fallen in the bounderies of the farm, he remained at home. The other two went on their journey, going in different directions. The panniers of one having fallen in Glenetive, he settled there, and the panniers of the other having fallen at Kilmartin, he made his home in that district. The brothers married and each had a family. By marriage they, in course of time became numerous. It happened that the MacCallums of Glenetive and the MacCallums of Kilmartin to the number of thirty of each set out to visit each other on the same day. Meeting in a narrow pass on “Sliabah an tuim” in the Genmore Moor neither party would allow the other to pass on the right. A fight occurred in consequence, which was maintained fiercely until all were killed except two, one of each party. Overcome by the toils of conflict, these two sat down to rest. Entering into conversation they ascertained that they were relatives. Thus it was that the MacCallums came to be called “Sliochd nan tri fichead burraidh” – “The descendents of the sixty fools” (Records of Argyll)
Nearly a thousand years separate Columba and the earliest documented references to the MacCallums, however. By this time the Campbells had moved into District of Lorne in Argyll, named after one of the princes of Dalriada, and for so long settled by MacCallums. Being a small clan they took protection under the Campbells of Lochow. (There is no historical evidence that the MacCallum country of Lorne in Argyll was filled with people who used the two names, MacCallum and Malcolm, indiscriminately, indicating that the MacCallum and Malcolm clans are different-See Malcolm below. It is expected that the ancient name of Colm should be found in the areas of original Gaelic settlement.)
Another origin is attributed to the name Callum: Mac Ghille-Challums is the Gaelic designation borne by the Mc Leods of Raasay, of Loch Aye in Loch Awe District of Argyllshire (from Gaelic Manuscript of 1450). Their descent is from Malcolm Garve, son of Malcoln, 9th Baron of Lewis.
[CMMS] There is evidence to suggest that the Clan is descended from the MacLeods of [CMM2] The district of Lorn in Argyllshire is the original home of the MacCallums and the Chief of the Clan MacCallum/Malcolm is Robin Neill Lochnell Malcolm, who resides in
The name MacCallum, in the Gaelic Maol Calium, means son of Columba. This does not indicate literal descent from the saint, but rather a devotee, and the MacCallums do originate in the ancient kingdom of Dalriada settled by the first Scots from Ireland.
[CMMS] It then appears that a large branch was established in Argyll under Campbell
Miscellaneous Notes about McCallums collected in Scotland in 1984:
1414 The first mention of MacCallum occurs in 1414 when Ronald (Ranald, Reginald) Mac
(below)
1510 [CMM2] “Maol Caluim” had a grant for the lands of Poltalloch, across Loch Craignish
1562 Donald M’Gillespie vich O’Challum (in Gaelic Domhnall Mac Gilleasbuig Mich Vi Challum,
1647 Zachary Mac Callum of Poltalloch Corbarron bequeathed by last of family to Zachary Mac Callum, 5th of Poltalloch, in 17th century (1647) who died ca. 1688. An earlier MacCallum was attacked from behind by man from the opposing force armed with a sythe.
1665 Charles II conferred a baronetcy of Nova Scotia on John Malcolm of Balbeadig and
1758 Alexander Malcolm (1758-1787) 9th Laird of Poltalloch, took the strange step of
1779 CMMS] In 1779 Dugald MacCallum of Poltalloch became Chief and Laird of the Poltalloch lands. He decided to adopt the surname Malcolm and since the Chiefs have used the name
1779 Dugald MacCallum, succeeded to estate in 1779 is said to be the first to adopt name
1787 Neil Malcolm of Poltallach, cousin of Dugald,succeeded to estate in 1787, d. 1802.
1896 John W. Malcolm (John Wingate) (15th) was created Lord Malcolm of the Manor of Directors of Suez Canal; K.C.M.G.; Married the daughter of the famous Edwardian beauty, 1850 and until 1954, the Cheifs were occupants of a mansion known as Poltalloch House which
[CMM2] George Ian’s Son Robin, present Chief and 19th Laird, has been repeatedly elected to local offices. His seat is Duntrune Castle, said to be the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. Originally a Campbell stronghold, Duntrune has been in the hands of the MacCallums/Malcolms for two hundred years.
1971 [CMM2] The Clan MacCallum/Malcolm Society was founded in 1971 at the Grandfather
Miscellaneous Notes about McCallums collected in Scotland in 1984:
Racial Group: Norse
Tartan: in a portion of a silk dress her family has owned for about that period without knowing the Moy Hall, and in every other important repository of the kind, the MacCallums as here considerable deviation has been made.”
Three tartans have to be considered in connection with the names MacCallum and same order. The other, usually called MacCallum (105), has a structure common to several of light blue-a quite misleading description.
MacCallum
(104) Bk B Bk G Az Bk G
2 12 12 8 2 4 16
(105) Bk B Bk G R G Bk
2 12 12 12 2 12 12
Current Home: Duntrune Castle, Lochgilphead, Argyllshire [photos in book] On the coast off A816, 4 miles north of Kilmichael across the bay from the end of the Crinan Canal stands Duntrune Castle, possibly the
It is basically an “L”-shaped tower building with additions made to it in the 16th century. It was once a Campbell stonghold. Contains a mediaeval lavatory chute on the facing corner
MacCallum vs. Malcolm:
Maol is Gaelic for shaven head, and thus a term for a monk. As a prefix in personal names it acquired the meaning of a devotee of a man of God, like that other term for a youth or servent, Gille. The first syllables of Malcolm (Servent of Colm) and Gillanders (Servent of Andrew) are virtually interchangeable although the original meaning of each is different. The connection between Malcolm and MacCallum is less clear, although these names are sometimes shown as alternative names for the same clan. There is an essential difference between a Devotee of Callum (or Colm) and a Son of Callum.
MALCOLM: Clan from 12th century Gilleoin
Name: Malcolm (servent of Colm) and Gillandere (Servent of Andrew) are virtually interchangeable although original meaning different
Maol=gaelic for shaven head, therefore term for a monk
Gille=servant of youth; Name from Gaelic MacMhathain
Connection between Malcolm and MacCallum less clear
Sometimes shown as alternative to same name
Big difference between devotee to Callum and son of Collum
No good historical evidence that in MacCallum country there were people who used two names indiscriminately
Malcolm’s in Dumbartonshire and StirlingshireAs early as 14th Century
Name from Gaelic-MacMhathain
Clan from 12th Century Gilleoin