A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Collingwood family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2123 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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'arg. au chev. de sa., acc. de trois têtes et cols de cerf du même; au chef ondé de gu., ch. d'un léopard d'or, sommé d'une couronne navale du même, surm. du mot TRAFALGAR en lettres d'or. C.: 1° la poupe d'un vaisseau de ligne, entre une branche de laurier et une branche de chêne, le tout au nat.; 2° un cerf arrêté, la tête posée de front, sous un chêne, le tout au nat. S.: à dextre une aigle au nat., sommée d'une couronne navale d'or; à sen. un lion au nat., tenant de sa patte dextre une branche de chêne au nat. D.: FERAR UNUS ET IDEM.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Collingwood arms are recorded
The Collingwood arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Collingwood 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 France.
Origin & History of the Collingwood Family in France
The history of the Collingwood name in France is deeply tied to the coastal region of Bretagne, where records confirm the family was established by 1725. While the name is often associated with English roots, its presence in this French province suggests a history of migration and adaptation across the English Channel. Families living in Bretagne during the early eighteenth century were often involved in maritime trade or local administration, which provided a stable environment for those settling in new lands. The name likely evolved through local phonetic spelling as it integrated into the French language and culture. By maintaining a presence in this specific region, the family became part of the local social fabric during a time of significant transition in French history. This period of residency highlights the mobility of families who moved between nations for work, marriage, or political reasons.
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
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a chev. betw. three stags' heads erased sa. (sometimes gu.)”
NorthumberlandChirton · Northumberland, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Collingwood arms are recorded
The Collingwood arms were recorded in Northumberland, c. 1620.
Northumberland was border country facing Scotland, raided and fought over for three hundred years. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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 Collingwood 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 Northumberland.
Origin & History of the Collingwood Family in England
The surname Collingwood is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Northern England, particularly within the county of Northumberland. The name itself is topographical, likely derived from a specific location known as "Colling Wood," which suggests that the family’s ancestors lived near a prominent forest or wooded area. By the year 1620, the Collingwoods were well-established as a significant landed family in the region. They were deeply involved in the complex social and political life of the Anglo-Scottish borderlands, a territory often defined by its turbulent history and distinct local traditions. As members of the northern gentry, they played an active role in local governance and land management, helping to shape the development of the rural communities in Northumberland during the early seventeenth century. Their presence in this area reflects the broader patterns of family settlement in the north of England, where many lineages remained tied to their ancestral lands for generations.
Collingwood Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Collis and Wood
A hill or elevated piece of land and a wooded area.
This name
CollingwoodRefers to a dweller near a wooded hill or a forest located on a slope.
also spelled
Colingwood
Collenwood
Related arms
Coullemont de Waterleetsimilar arms
Collenwoodvariant spelling
Cardonnelrecorded with Collingwood, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Proust, Jacques, La vie quotidienne en Bretagne au XVIIIe siècle, 1974
Le Gall, Jean-Marie, Les Bretons et la mer, 1998
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
lionCourage, strength and royalty
