The origins of the Campbells are uncertain, it is claimed that the name is derived from the French de Campo Bello, there are a number of competing theories including the theory that the name is from the Gaelic cam beul meaning "curved mouth". The dispute over the name is part of a wider disagreement on origins of the clanSee also Clan (computer gaming A clan is a group of people united by kinship and descent. Generally a clan is quite large. Members of a clan share an apical ancestor several generations back (i. they share the same great grandparents, great-great grandpar between those who point to a Britannic CelticThis article is about the European people. For the tool, see celt (tool). For other uses see Celtic (disambiguation). In ancient times, the Celts were a number of interrelated peoples in central Europe sharing many cultural and speaking a branch of Indo-E origin and those who claim IrishThe island of Ireland ire in Irish, Airlann in Ulster Scots) is the third-largest island in Europe. It lies on the west side of the Irish Sea, close to the island of Great Britain. It is composed of the Republic of Ireland in the south and Northern Irelan descent. The name is first mentioned in written records in the late 11th century10th century 11th century 12th century other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. Events 1000 (cca), Vikings, led by Leif Eirikson, establish small settlements at and aro, when Archibald Campbell was made Lord of Lochawe , more certain records first mention the name in the 1230sCenturies: 12th century 13th century 14th century Decades: 1180s 1190s 1200s 1210s 1220s 1230s 1240s 1250s 1260s 1270s 1280s Years: 1230 1231 1232 1233 1234 1235 1236 1237 1238 1239 Events and Trends 1230s..

The name was well established in Argyll at the end of the 13th century, as followers of the Earl of LennoxThe Peerage title of Earl of Lennox has been created twice in British history, both times becoming extinct. The Earl of Lennox was elevated to Duke of Lennox in 1581. Earls of Lennox, First Creation ( 1154) Alwin Mcarkill, 1st Earl of Lennox Alwin Mcarkil, with Campbells owning lands in KintyreKintyre is a region of western Scotland located at the south-western tip of the Argyll Peninsula. The region stretches approximately 30 miles from the Mull of Kintyre (immortalised in song by Paul McCartney) in the south to East Loch Tarbert in the north. and the famous warrior Cailein Mor (Great Colin) knighted ( 1380) and established at Lochawe . The family of Colin went on to become firm supporters of Robert the Bruce and benefited from his successes with grants of lands, titles and good marriages.

The first Lord Campbell was created in 1445. It was from the 15th century that the Campbells came to take a increasingly prominent role, Colin Campbell was en-nobled as the Earl of Argyll in 1457 and later became Baron of Lorn and was also granted lands in Knapdale, signs that the Argylls were one of the major forces in Scotland. His son, Archibald , became the first Argyll to be appointed Lord of the Isles. In the centuries, various Campbell Clan Chiefs, including Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll, Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll, and John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, have played key roles in Scottish and, indeed, British history.