This is a surname which appears to be both locational and English,however whilst it is locational it is in fact of French origins. It derives from a place in Normandy called "Caillouet", and must have been introduced at or shortly after the 1066 Invasion, although no recordings have been found in Domesday Book. The surname is found in several variants spelling forms including Callaway, Calloway, Calway, Kellaway and Kelway, and is an excellent example of the English ability to "disguise" origins through dialect and (mis)spelling. However what is clear is that by the 14th century the nameholders were significant land owners in Dorset, Devon, Hampshire and Wiltshire,and were particularly associated with the manufacture of "perry"- pears being a prominent charge on the Coat of Arms.Amongst the early recordings is that of Thomas de Kaillewey in the 1242 Court Rolls of Wiltshire and William de Calleweye in the Devonian Rolls for the same year. A famous name holder of the period was Richard de Kellawe (as spelt), Bishop of Durham and a creator of the Palatinate form of regional government. He died in 1316. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Philip de Chailewai, which was dated 1165, in the pipe rolls of Gloucestershire, during the reign of King Henry 11, known as "The Church Builder" 1154 - 1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

© Copyright: Name Origin Research 1980 - 2024