McCallum

McCallum is a surname of Scottish origin, an Anglicized form of the Gaelic MacCallum, meaning “son of Calum” or “son of Columba.” Calum is a Gaelic given name derived from Columba, the Latin name for “dove.” The spelling variants include MacCallum, MacCallam, McCallum, McCallam, and McCall, among others. Historically, the name indicated a family connection or clan affiliation and was common in Scotland, particularly in lowland and western Highland areas.

With European emigration, the surname spread to Canada, the United States, Australia, and other Anglophone regions. Today McCallum is found in Scotland and across North America and Oceania, appearing in genealogical records and censuses with regional variation in frequency. The name is carried by people in a range of professions and has been preserved in historical documents, parish records, and modern registries.

In addition to being a family name, McCallum appears in place names and institutions. Notably, McCallum High School is a public high school in Austin, Texas, named in the local community. The surname is represented across various domains, including sports, academia, and the arts, reflecting its widespread adoption among families of Scottish heritage and their descendants.