Map of England showing where the Column arms are recorded
The Column arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Column 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 Column Family in England
The family name Column carries a history rooted in the ancient city of York, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families living there often took surnames that reflected their surroundings or their local status. The name itself likely originated as a topographical descriptor, referring to individuals who lived near a prominent pillar, a stone monument, or a specific architectural feature known as a column. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of Northern England, participating in the daily commerce and community governance that defined the city during the early seventeenth century. By settling in such a significant historic hub, the early members of the Column family were positioned to witness the major political and social shifts that shaped England throughout the following decades.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
columna
Latin term for a pillar or upright support.
This name
ColumnA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent pillar or stone monument.
also spelled
Clonne
Clunne
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
City of York Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts
Raine, Angelo, Medieval York: A Topographical Survey, 1955
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