A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Columbine family of England.
Reg. 9419 · 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., holding in their bills olive branches vert”
Englandc. 1708
Where the Columbine Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Columbine arms are recorded
The Columbine arms were recorded in England, c. 1708.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Anne of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
Anne of Great Britain
1707–1714
Reigning in England when the Columbine 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 England.
Origin & History of the Columbine Family in England
The name Columbine is rooted in the Latin word columba, which means dove. During the medieval period, names derived from birds or flowers were often used to describe a person’s gentle nature or their association with local landscapes. By the early eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1708 confirm that members of the Columbine family were active participants in the social and professional life of this northern English hub. During this era, York served as a major center for trade and administration, suggesting that the family likely held roles within the merchant class or the local civic government. Their transition from regional obscurity to documented residents of York reflects the broader movement of families seeking stability and opportunity in England’s growing urban centers during the reign of Queen Anne.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
columba
Latin word meaning dove or pigeon.
This name
ColumbineDerived from the flower name, symbolizing foolishness or desertion in the language of flowers.
also spelled
Columbyn
Columbyne
Columbinn
Related arms
Colombynevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Records
City of York Archives, York Freemen’s Register
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
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dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
