Map of England showing where the Callos arms are recorded
The Callos arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Callos arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Callos Family in England
The history of the Callos name is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Northern England, with documented evidence placing the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, and families living there were often involved in the city’s bustling merchant guilds or local craft industries. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects or topographical descriptions common to the area, reflecting the way surnames were frequently formed during the transition from medieval naming traditions to fixed family identifiers. As residents of a prominent walled city, early members of the Callos family would have navigated the social and economic shifts of the Stuart era, living through a time of significant political change in Britain. Their presence in York suggests they were part of a stable community that helped shape the local culture and economy of the region for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Callus
Latin term referring to hardened skin or a callous.
This name
CallosAn occupational or descriptive name likely denoting a person with hardened skin or a tough nature.
also spelled
Challowe
Challowes
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
