Chisolm
A variant spelling of Chisholm, a Scottish surname tied to a place-name in the Borders.
The #7,508 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 69,616 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Chisolm is a spelling variant of Chisholm, ultimately from a Scottish place-name in the Borders. The name is usually explained as coming from an Old English or early northern form meaning something like "limestone land" or "gravelly place," though the exact early form is debated. Over time it became the surname of the Chisholm family, and later appeared in several variant spellings, including Chisolm.
History
The surname is strongly associated with Scotland, especially the historic Borders and the clan Chisholm. In English-speaking countries, the spelling without the extra "h" became established in some branches of the family and in later records. The name is now found especially in Scotland, the United States, Canada, and other parts of the Anglophone diaspora.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The familiar Scottish surname Chisholm has long been notorious for its tricky pronunciation and spelling, which helped produce variants like Chisolm and Chisum.