| ![Show Contents]() Colm History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
Etymology of ColmWhat does the name Colm mean? In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the Colm family were born. Their name comes from the Gaelic personal name "MacChaluim" which means "son of Calum," oe "son of St. Colomba." The names MacCallum and Malcolm are used interchangeably as Calum is the often Anglicized as Malcolm. 1 Early Origins of the Colm familyThe surname Colm 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 quickly attained the status of Clan. Their ancient Clan seat was at Poltalloch near Loch Craignish. The related Clan Calum is said to have been from Ariskeodnish. One of the earliest records of the name was Reginald MacCallum of Corbarron who was made the hereditary constable of Craignish Castle in 1414. Sir Duncan Campbell granted him lands in Craignish and on Loch Avich. This arrangement demonstrates the strong alliance between the MacCallums and the Campbells of Argyll; an arrangement which made them deadly foes of the MacDonalds. In 1647, Sir Alexander MacDonald killed Zacharie MacCallum, a supporter of the Campbell Chief, in battle at Ederline. In the 17th century, another Zachary Maccallum was bequeathed the Cobarron lands by the last of that branch. Early History of the Colm familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Colm research. Another 270 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1562, 1647, 1665, 1779, 1793, 1800, 1850 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Colm History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Colm Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Malcolmson, Malcollm, Malcom, Malcomb, Malcome, Malcomson, Malcum, MacCallam, MacCallum and many more. Early Notables of the Colm familyNotable amongst the Clan from early times was - John Malcolm of Balbeadie, who was conferred a baronetcy in Nova Scotia by Charles II in 1665
Migration of the Colm family to IrelandSome of the Colm family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 127 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Colm migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Colm Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- Mary Colm, aged 19, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Sibella" 2
| Contemporary Notables of the name Colm (post 1700) | + |
- Colm Connolly (1942-2025), Irish journalist, documentarian and newsreader
- Colm Moriarty (b. 1979), Irish professional golfer
- Colm J. Meaney (b. 1953), Irish actor, best known for playing Miles O'Brien in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994) and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)
- Colm McGlade, Irish actor, known for The Bright Side (2020) and Striking Out (2017)
- Colm Magner, Canadian actor, writer, and director from Prince Edward Island
- Colm McGurk (1967-2022), hurler and Gaelic footballer from Northern Ireland
- Colm Keane (1951-2022), Irish author, broadcaster and journalist from County Cork, author of 29 books, including eight Irish best-sellers
- Colm Honan (b. 1954), Irish retired hurler for Clare (1974-1984)
- Colm Callanan (b. 1982), Irish hurler for Kinvara and has been a member of the Galway senior inter-county team since 2007
- Colm McKavanagh, British Headteacher at The Romsey School in Romsey, Hampshire, England
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 petit
Motto Translation: He has attempted difficult things.
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
- South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SIBELLA 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/sibella1852.shtml
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