A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Colville family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 8059 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'arg. à la croix ancrée de sa. (Colville); aux 2 et 3 de gu. à la fasce échiq. d'arg. et de sa. de trois tires (Lindsay). C.: une tête de biche d'arg. S.: à dextre un rhinocéros au nat.; à sen. un Hercule de carn., revêtu d'une peau de bête féroce, arm. d'une massue posée sur son épaule. D.: OUBLIER NE PUIS.”
Britainc. 1609
Where the Colville Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Colville arms are recorded
The Colville arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1609.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Britain when the Colville arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Colville Family in Britain
The name Colville has deep roots in the British landscape, tracing back to the arrival of Norman settlers who brought the surname across the English Channel. While the name is often associated with the Scottish nobility, its presence in England was firmly established by the early 17th century, including documented records of the family living in Kent by 1609. The name itself is locational, derived from the village of Colleville in the Normandy region of France. As these early families settled into English life, they integrated into local communities and contributed to the social and agricultural development of their respective counties. By the time the family appeared in Kentish records, they were already part of a long tradition of families who had adapted their continental heritage to fit the changing political and cultural environment of Britain.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ar. on a pale az. betw. two cock pheasants endorsed, each reguard. ppr. a lion ramp. of the field collared gu”
LincolnshireLincolnshire, c. 1620
Where the Colville Arms Were Recorded
Lincolnshire
Map of England showing where the Colville arms are recorded
The Colville arms were recorded in Lincolnshire, 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 Britain when the Colville 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 Lincolnshire.
Origin & History of the Colville Family in England
The Colville family name originated as a locational surname, derived from the town of Colleville in the Normandy region of France. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, members of the family migrated across the English Channel to establish themselves within the social and political landscape of England. While the name is often associated with noble lines in Scotland, the family also maintained a significant presence in the English Midlands. By the early seventeenth century, records confirm that the Colvilles were well-established landowners in Lincolnshire. These early settlers were typically involved in local agriculture and community governance, which allowed them to integrate into the fabric of rural English life. Their presence in Lincolnshire by 1620 reflects a long history of movement and settlement that defined many families during the transition from the medieval period to the early modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a cross moline sa. a mullet of the last in chief”
EdinburghEdinburgh, c. 1672
Where the Colville Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Colville arms are recorded
The Colville arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1672.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Britain when the Colville arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Edinburgh.
Origin & History of the Colville Family in Scotland
The Colville family name originated in Normandy before traveling to Scotland during the twelfth century. The family first arrived in the region as part of the Norman influence that reshaped Scottish society under the reign of King David I. Over the following centuries, the family established deep roots in various parts of the country, eventually becoming prominent figures in the political and social life of Edinburgh by 1672. During this period, members of the family were active in the capital city as it transformed into a major center for law and administration. Their presence in Edinburgh during the late seventeenth century reflects a long history of integration into the Scottish nobility and the professional classes. By this time, the name had become well-established within the national records, marking the family as a significant part of the Scottish historical narrative.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Colleville
A settlement belonging to a person named Colli.
This name
ColvilleDerived from a Norman place name in Normandy, France, signifying a village or estate.
also spelled
Colvil
Colvile
Kolvil
Colvyl
Colvyle
Related arms
Drummondrecorded with Colville, same area
Hamiltonrecorded with Colville, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Black, G.F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Kent Archives, Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury, Probate Records, 1609
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
