A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cologne family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5606 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. au chev. de gu., acc. de trois roses du même.”
Belgiumc. 1737
Where the Cologne Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Cologne arms are recorded
The Cologne 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 Belgium when the Cologne 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 Cologne Family in Belgium
The family name Cologne has deep roots in the historical region of Brabant, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1737. During this period, the name was closely tied to the social and economic landscape of the Southern Netherlands, which was then under the control of the Austrian Habsburgs. Families with this name often integrated into the local community by working in trades or agriculture, which were the primary ways people sustained themselves in the rural villages and growing towns of the eighteenth century. Because the name itself suggests a geographical connection to the city of Cologne, it is likely that early ancestors migrated from the Rhineland into the Brabant region to seek new opportunities or to escape regional conflicts. This movement was common for families at the time, as people frequently traveled across borders to find work or settle on new land. Over time, the Cologne family became a part of the local fabric of Belgian history, contributing to the development of their community through their daily labor and local presence.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'or au chev. de gu., acc. en p. d'une rose du même.”
AuvergneAuvergne, c. 1663
Where the Cologne Arms Were Recorded
Auvergne
Map of France showing where the Cologne arms are recorded
The Cologne arms were recorded in Auvergne, c. 1663.
Auvergne was mountain country in the middle of France, poor in money but thick with old families. Estates were small and held for a very long time, and long tenure counted for more than wealth when it came to 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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Belgium when the Cologne 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 Auvergne.
Origin & History of the Cologne Family in France
The history of the Cologne family in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of the Auvergne region. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established as active participants in local life within this central French province. During the seventeenth century, families in this area were often tied to the land and the specific social structures of rural parishes. The name itself likely evolved from geographic origins, as it was common for families to adopt identifiers based on their ancestral homes or the towns where they settled. As the family grew, they became part of the fabric of Auvergne, navigating the challenges of life under the French monarchy while maintaining their presence in the region for generations. Their early history reflects the broader patterns of migration and settlement that defined provincial French families during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Colonia
Latin term referring to a settlement or colony.
This name
CologneA habitational name for someone who originated from the city of Cologne.
also spelled
Colongne
Colon
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief), Parochieregisters van Brabant
Vannieuwenhuyze, Bram, Brussel, de ontwikkeling van een middeleeuwse stedelijke ruimte, 2008
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
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
