A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Columbers family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4425 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. a cross formée fitchée or”
DevonshireDevonshire, c. 1620
Where the Columbers Arms Were Recorded
Devonshire
Map of England showing where the Columbers arms are recorded
The Columbers arms were recorded in Devonshire, c. 1620.
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 Columbers 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 Devonshire.
Origin & History of the Columbers Family in England
The family name Columbers traces its roots to the period following the Norman Conquest, originating from the place name Colombières in Normandy. Early records indicate that individuals bearing this name settled in England as part of the administrative and landholding class established by the Norman nobility. By the early seventeenth century, the family had firmly established a presence in the southwestern county of Devonshire. This region was a hub for maritime activity and agricultural development during the reign of King James I. The presence of the family in Devonshire by 1620 suggests they were well-integrated into the local community, likely participating in the social and economic life of the English countryside during a time of significant transition. While the name evolved in spelling over the centuries, its survival in Devonshire highlights the long-standing connection between the family and the regional history of southern England.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a chief ar. a cross moline counterchanged”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Columbers Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Columbers arms are recorded
The Columbers arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry arms.
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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Columbers Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in England when the Columbers arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Columbers Family in Netherlands
The family name Columbers carries a distinct history that traces back to the northern coastal regions of the Netherlands. By the early nineteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the province of Friesland. During this period, the Netherlands underwent significant social changes, including the formalization of civil registration under the Napoleonic influence. This transition required families to solidify their surnames in official government documents, which helped preserve the name for future generations. The presence of the Columbers family in Friesland suggests they were part of the local community during a time of great transition as the country moved from a collection of provinces into a unified kingdom. While the name itself reflects broader European linguistic roots, its specific path through the Frisian landscape highlights the family's integration into the administrative and social fabric of the Dutch state during the early 1800s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Columba
Latin word meaning a dove or a pigeon.
This name
ColumbersA habitational name derived from a place associated with doves or pigeon houses.
also spelled
Columberes
Columbar
Columbars
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, 1958
The National Archives, Exchequer: King's Remembrancer: Lay Subsidy Rolls, E 179
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
