Clan MacCallum (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

Gaelic Name: MacChaluim

Clan Crest: A tower argent with blue window and port

Clan Motto: In ardua tendit (He has attempted difficult things)

Origin of Name: Son of Callum (Bald dove)

Clan Badge: Mountain Ash

Lands: Argyll

Clan Chief: Robin N. L. Malcolm of Poltalloch.

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MacCallum Clan History

Saint Columba's original Gaelic name was Colm. 'MacCallum' means'son of Colm'.

Columba and the MacCallum ancestors lived in the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada, where the first Scots of Ireland settled. Despite this, we should not regard the two as blood relatives, but rather interpret the name MacCallum as 'follower of Columba'.

There is nearly a thousand years between Columba's time and the earliest historical reference to the MacCallums, and the lands of Lorn, Argyllshire are generally regarded as MacCallum country. By 1414, Argyll was the Campbells' estate, and Sir Duncan Campbell of Lochow granted Reginald MacCallum of Corbatton lands in Craignish and on the banks of Loch Avich.

Zachary MacCallum, from the Poltalloch family, was known for his great strength. He was a supporter of the Marquess of Argyll and was assassinated at Ederline in 1647 by Sir Alexander MacDonald. He turned to Sir Alexander after killing seven of the enemy, who would have been his eighth that day if MacCallum had not been taken from behind by an enemy who killed him with a scythe.

According to legend, the chief family at Colgin had three sons who all wanted to make their own lives away from home, possibly in the thirteenth century. Their father prepared their horses and instructed them to ride in different directions and build their homes wherever their horses' panniers fell off first. When the first son's panniers fell off before he could leave his father's farm, he chose to stay. The panniers of the second fell at Glenetive, and the third followed the advice to find himself in Kilmartin.

Dugald MacCallum of Poltalloch changed the name MacCallum to Malcolm in 1779. The Malcolms are a Clan with whom the MacCallums share many ancestors.

MacCallum Places & People

Clan MacCallum Individuals

Zachary MacCallum (died in 1647)

Zachary MacCallum of Poltalloch was famous throughout Scotland for his legendary strength. He had killed seven men before reaching Sir Alexander MacDonald during the battle at Ederline.

He was taken from behind by an enemy who killed him with a scythe as he moved to make his eighth and greatest kill.

MacCallum, David

MacCallum, David

English-born actor who has had a long and successful career in film and television. His credits include leading roles in "The Man From Uncle", "The Invisible Man", "Sapphire And Steel", and "The Great Escape".

MacCallum Tartans

MacCallum Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan MacCallum Crest

The crest is an argent tower with a blue window and port.

Coats of Arms of MacCallum:

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.