Surname McCollum - Meaning and Origin
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F. McCollum
read moreMcCollum: What does the surname McCollum mean?
The last name McCollum is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name MacColum. 'Mac' suggests 'son of', while 'Colum' is a personal name meaning 'dove' in Gaelic. It is believed that this name could refer to a characteristic or profession related to doves, such as peace or a messenger, or it could simply mean 'son of Colum'. However, direct interpretations of names' meanings can often be unclear or misleading since surnames have been passed down through generations and often changed, adapted, or Anglicized. The McCollums are associated with the counties of Donegal and Derry in Ulster, where many descendants can still be found. The name McCollum might also be spelled as MacCollum, MacCallum, or McCallum.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCollum: Where does the name McCollum come from?
The surname McCollum is of Irish origin and it is believed to have derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Coluim, which means 'son of Colum'. Historically, the root of the surname, Colum, refers to St. Columba who was a monk and missionary in the early Christian period.
The McCollum surname is heavily associated with Ulster, a province in Northern Ireland, as many of the people bearing this surname were descendants of settlers from Scotland who migrated to Ulster during the 17th century.
Today, the McCollum surname remains common in Northern Ireland and has spread to other English-speaking countries through immigration. The United States and Canada, with their long histories of Irish and Scottish immigration, have significant populations of McCollums. However, the largest concentration of people with the McCollum last name is still in Northern Ireland and Scotland. The name is especially prevalent in counties Derry, Tyrone, and Donegal. It's worth mentioning that in modern times, there are various spellings of the surname including McCallum, MacCallum, and other variations.
Variations of the surname McCollum
The surname McCollum is of Scottish origin and is a variant of MacCallum. The name comes from the Gaelic personal name "Cathmhaoil", which means "battle chief". Several variations and spellings of this surname available in English include McCallum, MacCallum, MacCollum, McColm, MacColm, McCollum, MacColum, McColum, and McAleam.
Mac is a Gaelic term which means 'son of', so all these names mean 'son of Callum'. Surnames like these were typically patronymic, constructed by using the father’s first name. This practice was common among Scottish and Irish people.
It's interesting to note that different regions in Scotland might spell it differently, for variations can emerge over centuries due to factors like regional dialects and illiteracy in earlier times. Emigration to other countries (like the US) also often led to alterations in spelling. When immigrants' names were recorded, clerks would write them based on how they sounded, leading to many variations. Therefore, the surname McCollum, its variations and spellings can tell a story of migration and changing times.
Famous people with the name McCollum
- Seth McCollum: Seth is an American NFL Tight End who is currently a free agent.
- Rebbie McCollum: Rebbie is an American artist known for her large-scale assemblages.
- James McCollum: James is an American professional basketball player and the younger brother of the four-time NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady.
- Todd McCollum: Todd is an American entrepreneur and investor. He is the founder and CEO of TODD Investment Group, a real estate investment and development firm.
- Courtney McCollum: Courtney is an American singer and songwriter, best known for appearing on The Voice in 2013 and being a part of the pop duo Rouge.
- Nick McCollum: Nick is an American journalist and anchor. He is a broadcaster for FOX and ABC, and contributes to National Geographic and NPR.
- Todd McCollum: Todd is an American actor, best known for his roles in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Bethany, and Snakehead Terror, among others.
- Marcius McCollum: Marcius is an American internet personality, best known for his Vine and YouTube channels.
- Sullivan McCollum: Sullivan is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her independent EP titled “Goodbye for Now.”
- Will McCollum: Will is an American actor, best known for roles in shows like Ghost Whisperer and How I Met Your Mother.