A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Collens family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1809 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Vert a griffin segreant or, a crescent for diff”
HerefordUpton · Hereford, c. 1612
Where the Collens Arms Were Recorded
Hereford
Map of England showing where the Collens arms are recorded
The Collens arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1612.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known by.
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 England when the Collens 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 Hereford.
Origin & History of the Collens Family in England
The family name Collens traces its roots back to the medieval practice of using patronymic surnames, which were derived from a father’s given name. In this case, the name evolved from a diminutive form of Nicholas, eventually settling into variations like Collins or Collens as spelling became more standardized over time. By the early 17th century, the family had established a clear presence in the English county of Herefordshire. Records from 1612 confirm that members of the Collens family were active in this region, likely working as farmers or tradespeople within the local rural economy. During this period, families often remained in the same geographic area for generations, meaning the Collens name became deeply woven into the social and agricultural fabric of the Herefordshire countryside. This long-standing connection to the land suggests that the family played a steady, quiet role in the development of their local community long before the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Gu. on a bend or, three martlets sa”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Collens Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Collens arms are recorded
The Collens arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Collens arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Collens Family in Ireland
The history of the Collens name in Ireland is deeply connected to the shifting political landscape of the seventeenth century. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin, a city that served as the primary center of English administration and trade in the country at the time. During this period, Dublin was a melting pot of merchants, soldiers, and colonial officials, and the presence of the Collens family suggests they were likely integrated into the urban professional or mercantile classes. As the city navigated the turmoil of the Irish Confederate Wars, families like the Collens often adapted to the changing power structures to maintain their livelihoods. Their early residence in the capital city placed them at the heart of Irish civic life, where they participated in the growth of Dublin as it expanded beyond its medieval walls. This early foothold in the capital provided a foundation for the family to persist through the turbulent decades that defined seventeenth-century Irish history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nicholas
Derived from the Greek words for victory and people.
This name
CollensA patronymic surname meaning son of Nicholas, indicating descent from a person bearing that name.
also spelled
Collins
Collyns
Related arms
Collinsvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Herefordshire Archives, Hereford Cathedral Archives: Records of the Dean and Chapter, 1612
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
