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This document is an attempt at an unofficial history of Clan MacCallum/Malcolm.
I've pieced together information from a number of sources. While incomplete,
it should provide a good overview. Additional information and corrections
are welcome. Send comments to
.
There are references to MacCallum's in some early Campbell papers. It is likely that the MacCallum's were in the Lorn district of Argyll from a very early time, probably before the Campbells arrived. There is also some indication that the MacCallum and MacIssac (McKessoc/McKissock) families were related at one point in the distant past. This was in the Kilmartin Glen area. Over time, the clan and its lairdship became established.
In 1414, Sir Duncan Campbell granted lands in Craignish to Reginald MacCallum of Corbarron. Along with the lands came the hereditary office of constable of the castles of Lochaffy and Craignish.
On May 18, 1562, Donald McGillespie vich O'Challum was granted the lands of Poltalloch by Duncan Campbell of Duntroon. Donald became the first laird of Poltalloch and the beginning of the line from which the current clan chief is descended.
Alexander, 9th laird of Poltalloch, was the first of this line to use the Malcolm surname. It has remained Malcolm since about 1745.
The Gaelic for MacCallum is MacChaluim and means a follower of Columba. The Gaelic for Malcolm is Mac Mhaol Chaluim which means son of the Dove (Columba). This is not to say a descendent of Columba, but rather, a follower or devotee.
From a letter to Jim McCollum of Rochester, NY written to him by the late chief, Lt. Col. George Malcolm, 18th Laird of the Clan.
In your Christmas card you asked me to explain the change of surname from McCallum to Malcolm, and now is my chance to do so.
Alexander, IXth Laird of Poltalloch was born McCallum, and always signed himself as such until after 1745 (note that date) when he took the Anglicised version of his surname and called himself Malcolm.
The reason, though not recorded, is not too difficult to find. After the "rebellion" of 1745, all things Highland were proscribed - tartan, piper, Highland music, names etc.
Though my clan was not "out" in that "rebellion," it was clearly more politic NOT to call yourself "Mac-anything" if you lived in Campbell country where they were all "The King's Men"; and as Alexander lived to be a hundred (and few in those days managed to do that) you may conclude that he was right!
The tartan books which give a potied [sic] history of every clan are never accurate on this point; and though I have pointed this out to the different editors, they never seem to publish a new edition!
A footnote from Jim McCollum says that the spelling was McCallum and not MacCallum in the letter from the Laird.
Note
The various spellings of the names aren't particularly meaningful. In particular, the Mc vs. Mac myths are just that, myths. There is no truth to the stories that Mc means Irish and Mac means Scottish. The truth is that both forms plus a third from of M' are all just abbreviations that mean son of. The first two forms are in common use in Scotland and are frequently used within the same family. The M' form still occurs but is less common. It is important to remember that spelling of names wasn't very important to our ancestors who were frequently not literate.The name was often spelled the way it sounded to the person writing it down. This has lead to a number of common forms and a few that aren't quite as common.
The current laird of the clan is Robin Neill Malcolm, the 19th Laird. Donald McGillespie Vich O'Challum was the first. For genealogical information, see the Poltalloch Genealogy page. See the Genealogy of Donald McGillespie Vich O'Challum for a more detailed look at this family.
Neill Malcolm,
13th of Poltalloch, received Arms at Lyon Office in 1818. This Malcolm
Coat-of-Arms is the personal property of the current laird of Poltalloch
and shouldn't be used by anyone not entitled to its use.
The heraldic description of the Malcolm Arms is:
Arms: Argent, on a saltire azure, between four stags' heads erased
gules, five mullets or.
Crest: A tower argent
Supporters: On either side a stag at gaze ppr., collared and chains
reflexed over the back or.
Mottoes: 1) Deus refugium nostrum 2) (over crest) In ardua tendit.
| Term | Meaning of Term |
|---|---|
| argent | silver |
| or | gold |
| azure | blue |
| gules | red |
| mullet | star |
| saltire | X |
| erased | the head appears to be torn off body (ragged) |
| ppr. | natural color |
| at gaze | looking forward |
Note: the illustration isn't exactly correct. The wreath and mantle over the helmet should be blue and silver rather than blue and black. The upper side is blue while the lower is silver (white).
Castle Duntrune was bought by Neil Malcolm, Twelfth Laird of Poltalloch in 1792. It is the current home of the chiefs of Clan MacCallum/Malcolm. It is claimed that Duntrune is the oldest, continuously inhabited building in Scotland.
Duntrune overlooks Loch Crinan from its northern shore and is directly across the Loch from the west entrance to the Crinan Canal.
The castle is not opened to the public and is the family home of the current Chief and his family.
Some additional information about the castle is available on the Kilmartin House Home Page reference to Duntroon. A collection of pictures can be found on the Clan Society's Duntrune page.
