What Does The Surname Campbell Mean?

The surname Campbell famously originates in Scotland, where it is one of the traditional clan names.

The word Campbell means crooked or wry mouth and it is thought to describe a man whose mouth inclined a little on one side. It comes from the Gaelic "cam" meaning crooked or distorted and " beul" for mouth. Experts in the origins of surnames would say this is a surname that was originally a nickname. One man with some sort of obviously crooked mouth, who was well known in his local community, became known as Campbell and his name stuck. His children were then also known by this name and it was passed on

According to Scottish legend, Gillespie O Duibhne was the first person to have borne the name, and he founded clan Campbell at the beginning of the 13th century. Whether he actually had a crooked mouth or not is lost in the mists of time.

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