Historians' writings regarding the origin of the Galloway differ somewhat, but upon three points they generally agree. The breed is recognized to be a very ancient one with obscure origins shrouded in antiquity. Its name is derived from the word Gallovid or Gaul. The Gauls were the native inhabitants of the regality known as the Province of Galloway. This province once comprised six shires (counties) in the southernmost extremity of Scotland's Lowlands. The cattle of the region were said to be dark, smooth-polled and wavy-haired with undercoats like beavers' fur.

Galloway cattle received recognition as a preferred breed as early as 1570, but Scottish Galloway breeders didn't begin their cattle genealogy until 1862.
The first Galloway came to Canada in 1853, and registration of these cattle began in 1872. Exactly 10 years later, during the Fat Stock Show in Chicago, Galloway breeders formed the first Galloway registry in the United States.

The naturally polled, long-bodied, curly-haired cattle come in three primary colors - black, red and dun - and in three color patterns - solid, white park and belted - and are well adapted to harsh northern climates.
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