Campbell Coat of Arms, Family Crest and Campbell Family History

Campbell Family History

The ancient origin of the name Campbell was found in the irishsurnames.com archives. The name Campbell first appears in 1216 in connection with the proprietor of lands in Stirling, Scotland. The first of importance was Neil Campbell who, in 1296, was made King Edwards Baillie over lands in Argyll. His great grandson was created Lord Campbell by James II, and was the first of the family to take the title of Argyll. His grandson, Colin, was made Earl of Argyll in 1457, and Baron of Lorn in 1470. The Marquis of Argyll was the great leader of the Covenanters during the civil wars in the reigns of Charles I and Charles II. The eighth Earl was created Duke of Argyll in 1701. The peerages and estate descended to John, second Duke of Argyll and Earl of Greenwich. In Ireland the name Campbell is derived from the MacCathmhaoil Sept, meaning 'battle chief', that was located in County Tyrone.The Campbell family crest (or coat of arms) came into existence many centuries ago. The process of creating these coats of arms began as early as the eleventh century although a form of Proto-Heraldry may have existed in some countries prior to this, including Ireland. The new more formalized art of Heraldry made it possible for families and even individual family members to have their very own family crest, coat of arms, including Campbell descendants.