A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Colles family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6911 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. a chev. ar. pellettée charged with two bars gemelles of the field betw. three lions' heads erased or”
WorcesterLuckley Grimley · Worcester, c. 1440
Where the Colles Arms Were Recorded
Worcester
Map of England showing where the Colles arms are recorded
The Colles arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1440.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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.
Henry VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VI of England
1422–1461
Reigning in England when the Colles 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Colles Family in England
The surname Colles emerged in England as a patronymic, likely evolving from a shortened form of the name Nicholas. While the family name appeared in various regions, historical records confirm that members of the Colles family were established residents of Worcester by the year 1440. During this period, the family became deeply integrated into the local social and economic fabric of the city. They were often involved in the trade and civic life that defined medieval urban centers. As the family grew, they transitioned from being local merchants and landowners to playing more significant roles in the regional administration of Worcestershire. This steady rise in status allowed the family to maintain a consistent presence in the area for several centuries, leaving behind a legacy tied to the development of the West Midlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a chev. betw. three lions' heads erased or”
SligoSligo, c. 1685
Where the Colles Arms Were Recorded
Sligo
Map of Ireland showing where the Colles arms are recorded
The Colles arms were recorded in Sligo, c. 1685.
Sligo was north-western Irish country with a harbour and poor land behind it. Its families were few and held their ground for a very long time, which is what put them in the records.
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 II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Colles 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 Sligo.
Origin & History of the Colles Family in Ireland
The Colles family name in Ireland is deeply connected to the social and political shifts of the seventeenth century. While the name has roots in England, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in County Sligo by 1685. During this period, families like the Colles often moved to Ireland as part of the broader administrative and land-holding changes occurring under the English Crown. Once they settled in Sligo, they integrated into the local community, eventually becoming involved in the professional and civic life of the region. Their presence in the west of Ireland during this time suggests they were part of a group of settlers who helped shape the local economy and governance of the late seventeenth century. Over the following generations, the family expanded their influence, moving from these early Sligo roots into various roles within Irish society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nicholas
Victory of the people derived from Greek words for victory and people.
This name
CollesA patronymic surname originating as a diminutive form of the name Nicholas.
also spelled
Collas
Collis
Collesse
Cole
Collee
Related arms
Colevariant spelling
Collasvariant spelling
Collee, Colley, or Coolingvariant spelling
Collisvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Nash, Treadway Russell. Collections for the History of Worcestershire. 1781
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service. Worcester City Archives, Series B: Records of the City of Worcester
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
