Show ContentsCalim History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Calim

What does the name Calim mean?

The root of the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name Calim is the Scottish name MacCallum, which means "the son of the gillie of Callum." However, the full form of the name was used until the 17th century. The Callums were an import branch of the Clan McLeod of Raasay.

Early Origins of the Calim family

The surname Calim was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Calim family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Calim research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1636 is included under the topic Early Calim History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Calim Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years Calim has appeared as Callum, MacColum, MacCallum, Colum, Callam, Callem, Calam and many more.

Early Notables of the Calim family

More information is included under the topic Early Calim Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Calim family to Ireland

Some of the Calim family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Calim family

Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The Calim were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown: Patrick Callum who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1868.



The Calim Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: In ardua tendit
Motto Translation: He reaches towards things difficult of attainment.


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