A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Collison family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5263 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. on a fesse az. betw. three roses in chief and as many peascods in base, a sword barways of the first, hilt and pomel or”
KincardineAuchlunies · Kincardine, c. 1748
Where the Collison Arms Were Recorded
Kincardine
Map of Scotland showing where the Collison arms are recorded
The Collison arms were recorded in Kincardine, c. 1748.
Kincardineshire was a narrow strip of farmland between the hills and the North Sea. Its landed families were few but very long-settled, and long settlement 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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Collison arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Kincardine.
Origin & History of the Collison Family in Scotland
The family name Collison has deep roots in the northeastern region of Scotland, particularly within the coastal area of Kincardine. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this community. The name itself is likely a patronymic, meaning it originated as a way to identify someone as the son of a man named Colin. During this period, families in Kincardine often lived in close-knit agricultural or fishing settlements where they played active roles in local parish life. Because the region was a hub for trade and maritime activity, the Collison family would have been part of a society that balanced traditional farming with the growing influence of nearby port towns. Their presence in the 1748 records suggests they were settled members of the community who contributed to the social and economic fabric of the Scottish Lowlands during a time of significant cultural change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. three cinquefoils or, the middle leaf gu”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1620
Where the Collison Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Collison arms are recorded
The Collison arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Scotland when the Collison 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Collison Family in England
The surname Collison is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Colin. This name was a common medieval pet form of Nicholas, a name that gained immense popularity across England following the Norman Conquest. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Norfolk. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Collison family were living in this region, which was then a bustling center for agriculture and the wool trade. During this era, families often stayed within the same geographic area for generations, meaning the Collisons likely played a role in the local community life and the developing economy of East Anglia. As the name spread through the English countryside, it evolved from a simple description of a father-son relationship into a permanent family identity that persisted through centuries of social and regional change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nicholas
Derived from the Greek name Nikolaos meaning victory of the people.
This name
CollisonA patronymic surname meaning son of Colin, which is a diminutive form of Nicholas.
also spelled
Collyson
Collisonne
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Kincardineshire Parish Registers, 1748
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
swordJustice, and military honour
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
swordJustice, and military honour
cinquefoilHope and joy
