A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Columbus family of Austria.
Reg. 4767 · Austrian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
lionCourage, strength and royalty
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 de gu. à une couronne d'or; aux 2 et 3 d'or au lion de gu., arm. et lamp. d'azur; au 4 d'azur à une tête et col de lévrier d'arg., coll. et bouclé d'or. Sur le tout d'or à une colombe volante d'arg., bq. et m. de gu., tenant au bec un rameau d'olivier de sin. Cq. cour. C.: une croix latine d'or, entre un vol coupé, à dextre d'or sur azur, à sen. d'or sur gu. L. conformes aux émaux du vol. S.: deux lévriers d'arg., langués de gu., coll. et bouclés d'or. D.: VIA JURIS ET VERITATIS.”
Austriac. 1865
Where the Columbus Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Columbus arms are recorded
The Columbus arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1865.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1865
Granting Authority for the Columbus Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Franz Joseph I of Austria
Sovereign of the period
Franz Joseph I of Austria
1848–1916
Reigning in Austria when the Columbus arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Columbus Family in Austria
The surname Columbus is derived from the Latin word columba, which translates to dove. Historically, this name was often given as a descriptive nickname or a religious reference to the bird, which symbolizes peace and the Holy Spirit. While many people associate the name with the famous explorer, the family line has deep roots in the Alpine regions of Central Europe. By the mid-19th century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the Tyrol region. During this period, the family lived in a mountainous area that was then part of the Austrian Empire. These early ancestors were likely involved in the local agricultural or trade traditions that defined life in the high valleys of the Alps. The transition of the name through different languages and borders reflects the movement of families across European history as they settled in distinct regions like Tyrol.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
columba
Latin term referring to a dove or pigeon.
This name
ColumbusDerived from a medieval occupational or topographic name for someone who kept doves or lived near a dovecote.
also spelled
Columbos
Columbe
Kolumbus
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kohl, Johann Georg. Reise nach Tirol. 1846
Tiroler Landesarchiv. Zivilstandsregister der Pfarreien in Tirol. 1865
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
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
lionCourage, strength and royalty
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
lionCourage, strength and royalty
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
