A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Columbo family of Germany.
Reg. 9557 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un oiseau d'arg., pass. sur une bande abaissée tranchée de gu. sur azur, et fixant un soleil d'or, mouv. du canton dextre du chef. C.: une boule d'or, sommée de trois épis effeuillés d'or et br. sur un listel, ch. des mots NON SINE CAUSA. L. de gu. et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Columbo Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Columbo arms are recorded
The Columbo arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Columbo arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Columbo Family in Germany
The surname Columbo is deeply rooted in the linguistic traditions of Europe, where it evolved from the Latin word columba, meaning dove. While the name is often associated with Mediterranean regions, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the Bavarian region of Germany by 1765. During this era, families with this name were frequently involved in local trade and agricultural management within the Holy Roman Empire. The name likely served as a descriptive nickname for a person with a gentle or peaceful nature, or it may have been adopted by those who lived near a landmark associated with the bird. As the family grew, they integrated into the social and economic fabric of their Bavarian communities, moving from small rural settlements into the developing administrative centers of the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Columba
Latin word for a dove or pigeon.
This name
ColumboAn occupational or habitational name for someone associated with doves or a dove-keeper.
also spelled
Colombo
Columby
Kolumbo
Related arms
Colombovariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
