A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Colombel family of France.
Reg. 8301 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 la fasce d'or, acc. en chef de deux oiseaux affr. d'arg., et en p. d'un serpent du même.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Colombel Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Colombel arms are recorded
The Colombel arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 France when the Colombel 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Colombel Family in France
The surname Colombel finds its historical roots in the lush, coastal region of Normandy, France. By the year 1663, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established within the local communities of this province. The name itself is derived from the Old French word for a young dove, which suggests that it may have originally been a descriptive nickname for a person with a gentle or peaceful temperament. During the seventeenth century, the Colombel family lived in a time of significant social change under the reign of King Louis XIV. As residents of Normandy, these early ancestors were likely involved in the agricultural and maritime trades that defined the regional economy. Their presence in the area during this era reflects a long-standing connection to the land and the distinct cultural heritage of northern France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Columba
A Latin term referring to a dove or pigeon.
This name
ColombelA diminutive form indicating a small dove, often used as a nickname for a gentle person.
also spelled
Colomber
Kolombel
Columbel
Related arms
Collombelvariant spelling
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
Archives départementales du Calvados, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Marie-Thérèse Morlet, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
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
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
