A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Collette family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2189 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cross symbolChristian faith and service
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
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 une tour d'arg., aj. du champ, posée sur un rocher d'or et surm. d'une croix potencée du même. C.: la tour; et un ours au nat., iss. des créneaux.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1486
Where the Collette Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Collette arms are recorded
The Collette arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1486.
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.
Charles VIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles VIII of France
1483–1498
Reigning in France when the Collette 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 Collette Family in France
The surname Collette finds its historical roots in the northeastern region of France known as Lorraine. By the year 1486, families bearing this name were already established within the local social fabric of this borderland territory. The name itself evolved as a diminutive form of the name Nicolas, which was a very popular choice for children during the Middle Ages. Because Lorraine served as a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between the French kingdom and the Holy Roman Empire, families like the Collettes often lived in communities that valued craftsmanship and agriculture. Over time, the name spread from these rural roots into the growing towns of the region as family members sought new opportunities in trade and local administration. This early presence in Lorraine suggests that the family was well-integrated into the regional economy long before the name became more widely distributed across the rest of France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Parti: au 1 coupé: a. d'arg. au lion de sa.; b. d'or à une rose de gu., bout. du champ; au 2 d'arg. à trois fasces de sa. et un fr.-q. d'arg. au saut. de gu. C.: le lion, iss.”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the Collette Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Collette arms are recorded
The Collette arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1737.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in France when the Collette arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Collette Family in Belgium
The family name Collette finds its roots in the historical region of Brabant, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1737. The name itself is a diminutive form of the name Nicolas, which was a very popular choice in the Low Countries during the Middle Ages. Families often adopted these shortened versions of common names to distinguish between different households in a growing community. By the eighteenth century, the Collette family was well-established within the social and economic fabric of the Brabant countryside. They likely worked as farmers or skilled tradespeople, contributing to the local markets that defined the region. As the population moved and shifted throughout the Belgian provinces, the family name became a permanent part of the local heritage, reflecting the deep ties that many families held to their specific villages and parishes during this era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nikolaos
Victory of the people derived from Greek words for victory and people.
This name
ColletteA diminutive form of Nicole, representing a feminine version of Nicholas.
also spelled
Colette
Colet
Related arms
de Vignonrecorded with Collette, same area
Franquinetrecorded with Collette, same area
Laurensrecorded with Collette, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albert Dauzat, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Marie-Thérèse Morlet, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cross symbolChristian faith and service
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cross symbolChristian faith and service
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
