A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Colas family of France.
Reg. 4654 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à la fasce d'arg., acc. en chef d'une merlette d'or et en p. d'une bouteille d'or soutenue d'un croiss. d'arg.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1608
Where the Colas Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Colas arms are recorded
The Colas arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1608.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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 France in this period.
Henry IV of France
Sovereign of the period
Henry IV of France
1589–1610
Reigning in France when the Colas arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Colas Family in France
The family name Colas originated as a shortened form of the name Nicolas, which was highly popular throughout France during the Middle Ages. Because people often used nicknames to distinguish between individuals in small communities, Colas became a common way to identify someone named Nicolas. By the early 17th century, the name was well-established in the Lorraine region of northeastern France. Records confirm that members of the Colas family were living in this area by 1608, a time when Lorraine was a distinct territory with its own unique cultural identity. Families like the Colas group were often involved in local agriculture or trade, helping to build the foundations of their communities during a period of significant regional change. Over time, the name transitioned from a simple nickname into a formal family surname that was passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nikolaos
Victory of the people derived from Greek words for victory and people.
This name
ColasA diminutive form of Nicolas, traditionally used as a pet name for someone named Nicholas.
also spelled
Colaz
Cola
Related arms
Mussonsame arms
Baylerecorded with Colas, same area
Bernardrecorded with Colas, same area
du Clauxrecorded with Colas, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle. Registres paroissiaux de Lorraine, Series E
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
