Campbell Surname: Origin and Coat of Arms
What does Campbell mean, and where does it come from? Here is a brief introduction.
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Origin of the Campbell name
Campbell comes from the Gaelic Caimbeul, "crooked mouth", from cam, "crooked", and beul, "mouth", a nickname that became the name of one of the most powerful Highland clans. The Campbells rose in Argyll and later held the titles of Earl and Duke of Argyll. Scottish settlers took the name to Ulster, where it also anglicized the Gaelic Mac Cathmhaoil.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Campbell name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Campbell name in Scotland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as Ireland, the United States and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Campbell name FAQ
What does the Campbell name mean?
Crooked mouth (Gaelic). Common variants include Cambell, MacCampbell, Caimbeul.
Where does the Campbell surname come from?
It originates in Scotland, and is also found in Ireland, the United States and Canada.
Is there a Campbell coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Campbell crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Campbell coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: George F. Black, The Surnames of Scotland (New York Public Library, 1946); MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).