Surname MacCollum - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacCollum: What does the surname MacCollum mean?
The last name MacCollum is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "MacColum", which itself is a derivative of "colm", meaning dove. The "Mac" prefix in Gaelic means "son of", therefore "MacColum" can be translated to "son of Colum". The name Colum is assumed to be linked to Saint Columba, one of the most revered saints in Ireland and Scotland. Thus, the last name MacCollum could carry the further connotation of being descendants or followers of Saint Columba.
Over time, there have been variations in the spelling of the name, including Malcolm, MacCallam, MacColum, etc., largely due to differences in regional dialects and pronunciation. The MacCollums were part of the larger clan MacCallum, originally from the Scottish Highlands.
It's important to note that surname meanings can evolve over centuries, and individual families with the same surname might not share the same origin or meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCollum: Where does the name MacCollum come from?
The last name MacCollum is of Scottish origin, derived from the name MacCallum, which was originally a Gaelic personal name meaning "Son of Columba". Columba was a highly revered Irish saint in the 6th Century, known for spreading Christianity in Scotland. The name MacCollum is thus common among descendants of Irish and Scottish families. Over time, due to migration, the name has spread to different parts of the world.
Today, the last name is more commonly found in countries like Scotland and Ireland, where it originated. However, due to migration and the diaspora, it is also seen in other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, variant spellings of the name can also be found in different locations due to the phonetic interpretation of the name during immigration. Despite these variants, the name remains relatively uncommon.
Variations of the surname MacCollum
The surname MacCollum typically belongs to the Irish and Scottish Gaelic origin and it's quite common among communities of these origins. The name is a derivative of the given name Malcolm, meaning "devotee of St. Columba". However, variations and variations of this surname are plentiful and can sometimes depend on geographical location or even personal family history.
Different spellings of MacCollum include McCallum, McCollum, MacCallum, Maccallum, MacColum, McCollam, McCollom, and McCollum. Often, the "Mac" or "Mc" prefix, meaning "son of", can be interchanged. The vowel and consonant spellings may change or double, such as the 'a' to 'o' in the transition from 'Mac' to 'Mc', or the doubling in the 'll' in Collum to Callum.
There is also MacColum, MacCollam, MacCollom, MacCollum, McCollom, and even without the prefix: Callum, Collum.
Keep in mind, the variant spellings of a surname are numerous and can often be down to personal preference or transcription errors over time. Similarly, immigration and translation into other languages can also alter original surnames, creating even further variations.
Famous people with the name MacCollum
- Kirsty MacColl: English singer-songwriter (1959: 2000)
- Emma Maccoll: Scottish actress (born 1984)
- Paul Pack MacColl: British watercolor artist (1890: 1968)
- Heather MacColl: Canadian actress (born 1973)
- Coll MacColl: Irish Gaelic footballer (1877: 1952)
- Andrew MacColl: Australian snowboarder (born 1989)
- Megan MacColl: Scottish singer-songwriter (born 1992)
- Andrew MacColl: Canadian stand-up comedian (born 1999)
- John MacColl: Commander of No. 617 RAF squadron (1906: 1994)
- Robbie MacColl: English rower (born 1990)