A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Colet family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0374 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 bande d'arg., ch. de trois étoiles de gu.”
ChampagneChampagne, c. 1663
Where the Colet Arms Were Recorded
Champagne
Map of France showing where the Colet arms are recorded
The Colet arms were recorded in Champagne, c. 1663.
Champagne made its money at its great trade fairs, where merchants from across Europe met. Wealth of that kind bought land, and land brought arms, so the region carries a lot of names.
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.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Colet 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 Champagne.
Origin & History of the Colet Family in France
The family name Colet finds its historical roots in the northern regions of France, where it emerged as a distinct surname during the medieval period. The name is widely considered to be a diminutive form of the name Nicolas, which was highly popular throughout French society for centuries. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Colet family were firmly established in the Champagne province. This region was a vital center for trade and agriculture, and families living there often played significant roles in local community life. The Colets likely worked as skilled laborers or landowners, contributing to the development of the rural landscape that defined the area during the seventeenth century. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Champagne, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and settlement that shaped the French countryside long before the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. a chev. betw. three hinds trippant or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Colet Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Colet arms are recorded
The Colet arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Colet arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Colet Family in England
The surname Colet has deep roots in English history, appearing as a diminutive form of the name Nicholas. By the early seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the Colet family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that families residing there were often involved in the city’s bustling merchant guilds or local craft industries. The name itself likely evolved from the Old French influence on English naming customs, where shortened versions of popular names became common identifiers for individuals within a community. As the family settled into the social fabric of York by 1620, they became part of a long tradition of English families who helped shape the local economy and civic life of the region during the early modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nicolas
Derived from Greek words meaning victory of the people.
This name
ColetA diminutive form used as a nickname for someone named Nicholas.
also spelled
Collet
Related arms
Colletvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales de la Marne, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
