Surname Callow - Meaning and Origin

Callow: What does the surname Callow mean?

The origin of the last name Callow is English. The name is believed to have derived from the word “caller” which means “one who calls”or a "sergeant" who is charged with calling out the names of those who must appear before the court. It is also believed to have derived from an old English occupational name for a messenger, someone who called out a message publicly.

The word "callow" also has other meanings. It can mean naive, inexperienced, or immature--not having the knowledge or insight to understand certain things or situations. It can also mean having a fresh, light color.

The surname is found most often in England, but can also be found in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand.

Today, the surname Callow is commonly used as a surname, but it can also be used as a given name. It is often chosen by parents who are looking for something uncommon but with a strong meaning.

Callow: Where does the name Callow come from?

The last name Callow is believed to originate from Scotland and Northern England. It is a locational surname derived from a place called Callow near Hereford, England. Today, the surname Callow is still common in Scotland and England. It is also found in parts of the British Commonwealth, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa. Additionally, the name Callow is found in other places across the world, including in the United States and the European continent.

In the United States, the surname Callow is among the 25,000 most common surnames in the country. This means it appears in roughly 0.009% of the overall population. It is most commonly found in the state of Pennsylvania, where it is estimated that 18% of the population has this last name. Additionally, the name is relatively common in New York, Massachusetts, and Florida.

It is believed that the spelling of the last name Callow has changed over the centuries due to colonization. Variations of the name include Calaway, Callaway, Callowhill, and Collo. In some cases, the spelling may have been altered to a similar sounding name due to immigration and assimilation.

Variations of the surname Callow

The surname Callow is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is derived from the Old English word ‘calu’, meaning bald. Variants of this surname include Calow, Callow, Calowe, and Collow. The Calow variant is more common in England and Wales, while the Callow variant is found more in Scotland.

Spelling variants of Callow include Calow, Callowe, Calowe, Collow, Calowes, Collowe, Callowes, Callows, Collows, Calw etc. Surnames derived from Callow include Collow, Colow, Collowe, Collowes, Collw, Collws, Collowes, Calloway, Callowaye, Callowayes, Caullow, Colloway, Callowey, Kallow, Collaway, Challow, Caullowe, Colloway, Coloway etc.

The prevalence of spelling variants and surname derivatives of Callow indicates its popularity in the past. It is widely accepted as being a reflection of the many linguistic variations of the Medieval English language. Callow appears in many documents recorded throughout history, including the Surrey Inquisition Post Mortem of 1280 and the Feet of Fines of 1259. It is likely that the surname was first brought to Britain during the Norman Conquest of 1066.

As people have moved away from the original location of the surname, the name has become increasingly scattered around the world. This has potential given rise to many altered versions of the surname, which continue to surface through different records. There is also some evidence to suggest that many variants of the name have multiple spellings, further demonstrating the popularity and prevalence of the surname.

Famous people with the name Callow

• Andrew Callow— British actor best known for his performances in Romeo and Juliet, Doctor Who, and Doctor Foster.
• Paul Callow— British actor who has worked extensively in the theatre, film, and television.
• Kirsty Callow— British actress and producer known for her roles in Human Traffic, The Bill, and Holby City.
• Charlie Callow— British actor and comedian who is known for performing stand-up and improv comedy.
• Louise Callow— British singer-songwriter who rose to fame after competing in the TV show The X Factor in 2012.
• Damien Callow— British graphic artist and designer known for his projects in the fashion and music industries.
• Ed Callow— British photographer and filmmaker whose work has been exhibited around the world.
• Sam Callow— British composer and musician who has composed for film, television, and video games.
• Ryan Callow— Australian professional surfer who is known for competing at events on the World Surf League tour.
• Dave Callow— British former professional footballer who played for clubs such as Manchester City and Reading.

Other surnames

CallonCallonsCalloway