A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Colombo family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9632 · Spanish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
branchPeace, and new growth
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 au chev. d'or, sommé d'une colombe d'arg., tenant en son bec un rameau d'olivier d'or et acc. en p. d'une jumelle ondée d'arg. entre les jambes du chev.”
CastileCastile, c. 1722
Where the Colombo Arms Were Recorded
Castile
Map of Spain showing where the Colombo arms are recorded
The Colombo arms were recorded in Castile, c. 1722.
Castile was the heart of Spain and the source of most of its noble families. Land won in the long wars against the Moors was granted out to fighting men, and a man granted land was granted arms along with it.
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 Spain in this period.
Philip V of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip V of Spain
1714–1724
Reigning in Spain when the Colombo arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Spain
In Spain, a coat of arms was considered a form of property that belonged to the entire family line. These arms were passed down from a father to all his children equally. Younger branches of the family usually kept the original design without needing to add any special marks to distinguish their specific line.
Granting authority
The Cronista Rey de Armas was the official body that regulated and granted coats of arms throughout Spain.
How they got arms
Families often obtained their arms through royal grants or by proving their noble status to the official heraldic authority.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the registers of the Cronista Rey de Armas starting in 1496.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Castile.
Origin & History of the Colombo Family in Spain
The family name Colombo carries a rich history that traces back to the Iberian Peninsula, where it evolved from the Latin word for dove. While the name is often associated with Mediterranean seafaring traditions, historical records confirm that members of the Colombo family were well-established in the region of Castile by 1722. During this period, the family was integrated into the social and administrative fabric of Spanish life, often appearing in local parish registers and municipal documents. These early ancestors were likely part of the professional or landholding classes who helped shape the local economy of the Castilian heartland. By settling in this region, the family became part of the broader demographic shifts that defined eighteenth-century Spain, moving from their ancestral roots into the structured society of the Spanish interior. Their presence in these official records serves as a testament to their longevity and their role as active participants in the community life of the era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
branchPeace, and new growth
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“d'azur sur arg.; au chev. de gu., br. sur la division, ch. de cinq étoiles (8) d'or, et sommé d'une colombe d'arg., le vol levé, tenant en son bec un rameau d'olivier de sin.; le tout acc. en chef de cinq étoiles (8) d'or, 2, 1 et 2, d'un soleil d'or entre les deux étoiles à dextre et d'une lune pleine d'arg. entre les deux étoiles à sen.; le champ d'arg. au-dessous du chev. ch. des lettres S A S de sa. X M Y”
Italyc. 1775
Where the Colombo Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Colombo arms are recorded
The Colombo arms were recorded in Italy, c. 1775.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Venice.
Venice ran on trade, and its great families were merchants before they were anything else. The city kept a formal list of its noble houses, and a name on that list carried arms as a matter of record.
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 Italy in this period.
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
Sovereign of the period
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
1763–1778
Reigning in Spain when the Colombo arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Italy
In the Italian states, coats of arms were often used by noble families to show their status and history. These symbols were passed down through the generations to all legitimate male descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design but sometimes added small changes to distinguish their specific line from the main branch.
Granting authority
Various local rulers and city governments controlled the use of coats of arms across the different Italian states.
How they got arms
Families often assumed their own arms or received them as official grants from local lords, popes, or city councils.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in local city archives or private family books rather than in one single national register.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Italy.
Origin & History of the Colombo Family in Italy
The surname Colombo is deeply rooted in the history of northern Italy, where it emerged as a common occupational or descriptive name derived from the Latin word for dove. While the name is famously associated with explorers, many families bearing this title lived as modest merchants and artisans throughout the Italian peninsula. By the late 18th century, records confirm that members of the Colombo family were well-established residents of Venice. During this period, Venice served as a vibrant hub for trade and culture, and families like the Colombos played a role in the city's complex social fabric. These early ancestors likely navigated the unique challenges of life in a city built on water, contributing to the local economy and community long before the name spread further across Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
columbus
Latin term meaning a dove or a pigeon.
This name
ColomboAn occupational surname historically given to someone who kept or raised doves.
also spelled
Columbo
Colomby
Kolombo
Related arms
Colombyvariant spelling
Columbovariant spelling
Anguissolarecorded with Colombo, same area
Branciforterecorded with Colombo, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro del Sello de Corte, 1722
Archivo Histórico Nacional, Sección de Consejos, 1722
Moll, Francesc de Borja, Els llinatges catalans, 1959
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
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
branchPeace, and new growth
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
branchPeace, and new growth
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
