Surname MacColum - Meaning and Origin
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MacColum: What does the surname MacColum mean?
The surname MacColum has its origins in Scotland and it means "son of Colum". It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Colum", which in itself is derived from the Latin word "columba", which means "dove". The dove is a symbol of innocence, gentleness, and affection. It was quite a popular name during early Christianity. This is largely because of St. Columbia, one of the early Christian saints who significantly evangelized Scotland in the 6th century. As a surname, MacColum has a variety of spellings including MacColum, McCollum, Malcolm, Malcom, MacCallam, McCallam, and other variants. Like many surnames that originated in the British Isles, the name was anglicized when families emigrated to English-speaking countries.
Order DNA origin analysisMacColum: Where does the name MacColum come from?
The surname MacColum is of Scottish and Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name MacColuim which means "son of Colum." Colum is a personal name which comes from a Gaelic word for dove. The MacColum name is particularly associated with the Celtic regions of Scotland and Ireland, implying the family would have been a part of a Celtic tribe or clan in these regions.
As with many traditional Gaelic names, variations include MacCallum and Malcolm, and it is in these forms that the name is most common today. Particularly in Scotland, the Malcolm surname is quite popular, while in areas like the United States, Australia, and Canada where there is a significant diaspora of Irish and Scottish descendants, it can also be found, though less commonly. As it stands, the exact form MacColum is not particularly common today, and is most likely to be found within families maintaining older or more traditional forms of their surnames. As in general, people moved or were displaced, the original name's spelling often evolved or was Anglicized, leading to a myriad of different variations.
Variations of the surname MacColum
The surname MacColum has its roots in Gaelic cultures, particularly pronounced in Irish and Scottish Gaelic. The name comes from the Gaelic personal name, Colum, which means "dove". It's often seen as an Anglicization of Mac Coluim, which means "son of Colum".
There are several variants and spellings associated with this surname. Variations in spellings often arise due to geographical factors and dialectal differences. Some of these include: McCollum, MacCollum, McColum, MacColum, McColumb, MacColumb, McCullum, MacCullum, McCullen, MacCullin, McColm, McColma, McColme, McCalmont, McCalmant, McCalmount, and McCalmant.
Meanwhile, some names of the same origin are MacCallum, McCallum, Callum, Malcolm, Colm, and Colum. These names bear the same meaning — all being derived from the Gaelic personal name, Colum.
Different spellings and modifications have emerged over centuries, depending on the cultural, historical, or personal influences in different regions. It's worth noting that despite these variations, the fundamental essence and meaning of the name remain.
Famous people with the name MacColum
- Jane MacCollum: British actress best known for her roles in Coronation Street
- Andrew MacCollum: British photographer and rural artist
- Angus MacCollum: Australian rugby league player
- Kenneth MacCollum: Scottish footballer
- Donnie MacCollum: Californian musician and singer
- Heather MacCollum: Canadian Olympic swimmer
- Skip MacCollum: American Major League baseball player
- David MacCollum: Irish actor and director
- Ian MacCollum: British playwright and screenwriter
- Mike MacCollum: American animator and puppeteer