A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Columbell family of England.
Reg. 4246 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. three doves ar. legged gu. in the bill of each an olive branch vert”
DerbyDarley · Derby, c. 1620
Where the Columbell Arms Were Recorded
Derby
Map of England showing where the Columbell arms are recorded
The Columbell arms were recorded in Derby, c. 1620.
Derbyshire had lead mines in its hills and good grazing in its valleys. Both made steady money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names into the heraldic records.
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 Columbell 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 Derby.
Origin & History of the Columbell Family in England
The surname Columbell is deeply rooted in the history of Derbyshire, where the family established a notable presence by the early seventeenth century. Records confirm that members of the family were living in Derby by 1620, a time when the town was growing as a center for trade and local governance. The name itself is thought to derive from Old French or Latin origins, likely relating to the word for a dove, which often served as a symbolic name in medieval naming traditions. As the family settled into the region, they became integrated into the local social fabric, often appearing in parish registers and legal documents related to land and commerce. By maintaining a consistent presence in the area, the Columbell family contributed to the long-standing history of the East Midlands, leaving behind a trail of records that document their daily lives and growth within the community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Columba
A Latin term referring to a dove or pigeon.
This name
ColumbellA diminutive or descriptive name likely denoting a person with a gentle or peaceful nature.
also spelled
Columbill
Columbil
Related arms
Plumptonrecorded with Columbell, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cox, J. Charles. Notes on the Churches of Derbyshire. 1877
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dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
