Map of England showing where the Colt arms are recorded
The Colt arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1620.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Colt 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 Hereford.
Origin & History of the Colt Family in England
The surname Colt likely originated as a descriptive nickname in medieval England, referring to a person who possessed the energetic or youthful qualities of a young horse. By the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the county of Herefordshire. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Colt family were settled in this region, where they likely engaged in local agriculture or trade typical of the rural West Midlands. During this period, families often lived in the same vicinity for generations, allowing the name to become firmly rooted in the social fabric of the English countryside. As the family grew, they contributed to the local community life of Hereford, leaving behind traces in parish registers and legal documents that highlight their steady integration into the regional history of the era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. a stag's head erased gu. betw. the attires a pheon az”
LanarkGarthsherrie · Lanark, c. 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Scotland showing where the Colt arms are recorded
The Colt arms were recorded in Lanark, c. 1748.
Lanarkshire ran along the upper Clyde, farming country with coal beneath it. Its landed families were long-established, and long establishment is what brought them into the register.
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 England when the Colt 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 Lanark.
Origin & History of the Colt Family in Scotland
The surname Colt has deep roots in the Scottish Lowlands, where it likely emerged as a descriptive nickname for a person with the spirited or energetic nature of a young horse. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the town of Lanark. During this period, Lanark was a bustling center for trade and local governance, providing a stable environment for families to grow and integrate into the community. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Colt family were active participants in the social and economic life of this region. Over time, the family name became firmly attached to the landscape of South Lanarkshire, reflecting the broader history of Scottish families who settled in rural burghs to build their livelihoods through craftsmanship and local commerce.
Colt Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
colt
A young male horse.
This name
ColtA nickname for a lively, spirited, or youthful person.
also spelled
Kolt
Koltte
Related arms
Coultvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
horseReadiness to serve king and country
horseReadiness to serve king and country
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
