Kellam History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Kellam is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Kellam family lived at Kelham in Nottinghamshire, a parish northwest of Newark. The name Kellam is derived from the Old Norse expression for at the ridges. It is most commonly found in Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire.

Early Origins of the Kellam family

The surname Kellam was first found in Nottinghamshire. “A Norman family, who derive their name from Kelham, near Newark-upon-Trent, co. Nottingham, where they were seated at an early period. They still bear in their arms three covered cups, in allusion to the office of cup-bearer to Alan, earl of Richmond, the Conqueror’s son-in-law, which was held by their ancestor. ” 1

This was the place that Charles I. spent his last night before he gave himself up to the Scottish army, who encamped on the spot in May, 1646. 2