As described in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

(origin: Local) Derived from the town of Kelso, in Roxburghshire, Scotland. Kelso was originally written Calchow, a corruption of Chalkheugh, the chalk-hill.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.


Patronymica Britannica (1860)

KELSO. A town and parish in Roxburghshire. The family were in Ayrshire at an early period. Hugh de Kelso is mentioned in Ragman Roll, 1296. B.L.G.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.


Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.