Rick Check this out The ancient Chonicles of England the early records of the name Kellum as a Norman surname which ranks as one of the oldest. The history of the name is closely interwoven within the majestic tapestry as in intrinsic part of the history of Britain. In-depth research by skilled analysts into ancient manuscripts such as the Domesday Book (compiled by 1086 by William the conqueror), the Ragman Rolls, the Wace poem, the Honour Roll of the Battel Abbey, the curia Regis, Pipe Rolls, the Falasie Roll, tax records, baptismals, family genealogies, local parish and church records, shows the first record of The name Kellum was found in Nottinghamshire where they were seated from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. Many alternate spellings were found in the archives researched, typically linked to a common root, usually on of the Norman nobles at the Battle of Hastings. Although the name, Kellum,appeared in many referecces, from time to time the Surname included Kellam,Kelham, and these changes in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. Scribes recorded and spelled the name as it sounded. Typically a person would be born with one spelling , married with Another, and buried with a headstone that showed another. All three spellings related to the same person. Sometimes Preferences for different spellings variations either resulted from a branch preference, religious affilation or sometimes Nationalistic statements. The family named Kellum is believed to be descended originally from the Norman race, frequently but mistakenly Assumed to be of French origin. They were more accurately of Viking origin. The Vikings landed in the Orkneys and northern Scotland about the year 870 A.D. , under their King Stirgud the Stout. Thorfinn Rollo , his descendants landed in northern France about the year 910 A.D. The French king Charles the Simple, after Rollo laid siege to Paris , finally conceded defeat and granted northern France to Rollo. Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy, the territory of the north men . Rollo married Charles' daughter and became a convert To Christianity . Duke William who invaded and defeated England in 1066, was descended from the first Duke Rollo of Normandy Duke William took a census of most of England in 1086, and recorded it in the Domesday Book. A family name capable Of being traced back to this manuscript,or to Hastings, was a signal honour for most families during the middle ages, and even To this day. The surname Kellum emerged as a notable family name in the county of Nottinghamshire where they were recorded as a family Of great antiquity seated with manor and estates in that shire. They were granted the lands of Kellam near Newark-upon-trent in Nottinghamshire by king William. They were official cup bearers to the Earls of Richmond who were descended from the Dukes Of Brittany. They flourished on their estates in Nottinghamshire and later acquired the manor of Bleasby Hall in Nottingham and branched North to Yorkshire. Prominent amongst the family at this time was Kellam of Nottingham. The surname Kellum contributed much to local politics and in the affairs of England or Scotland. During the 11th and 12th Centuries many of these families moved north to Scotland. Later, in the 16th ,17th and 18th centuries England was ravaged by Religious and political conflict. The monarchy, the church and Parliament fought for supremacy. Religious elements vied for Control, the state church, the Roman Church and the Reform Church. All, in their time, made demands on the rich and the poor Alike. They broke the spirit of men and many turned from religion , or alternatively , renewed their faith, pursuing with vigour And ferocity the letter of the ecclesiastical law. Many families were freely "encourged" to migrate to Ireland, or to the colonies. Nonbelievers or dissidents were banished , sometimes even hanged. The settlers in Ireland become known as the "adventures for land in Ireland". They under took to keep the protestant faith. There is no evidence that the family name migrated to Ireland, but this does not preclude the possibility of their scattered migration To that country. The democratic attitudes of the new world spread like wildfire. Many migrated aboard the fleet of sailing ships, known as the "white sails", the stormy Atlantic,small pox, dysentry,cholera, and typhoid took its toll an the settlers and many of these tiny, over crowded ships arrived with only 60 or 70% of their passenger lists The migration or banishment to the new world continued, some voluntarily from Ireland, but most directly from England or Scotland Their home territories. Some clans and families even moved to European continent. Richard Kellum 1st came to the colonies in 1643 on the ship Primrose.