A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Colston family of England.
Reg. 2665 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. two barbels, haurient, respecting each other ar”
EssexEssex, c. 1620
Where the Colston Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Colston arms are recorded
The Colston arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 England when the Colston 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Colston Family in England
The surname Colston is a locational name that likely originated from individuals living near a specific settlement or geographic feature. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Essex, England. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Colston family were active in this region during a time of significant social and economic transition. The name itself is thought to be derived from a combination of Old English elements, often linked to the name Cole or a descriptive term for a dark-colored place. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of rural English life, participating in the agricultural and community systems that defined the era. Their presence in Essex suggests they were settled landowners or tradespeople who contributed to the development of their local parishes long before the mass migrations of later centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nicholas
Derived from the Greek name Nikolaos meaning victory of the people.
This name
ColstonA patronymic surname meaning son of Cole, which is a pet form of Nicholas.
also spelled
Colstun
Colstoun
Colsten
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Quarter Sessions Rolls (Q/SR), 1620
Bardsley, C.W., A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
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fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
