Map of England showing where the Colwill arms are recorded
The Colwill arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Colwill 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Colwill Family in England
The surname Colwill is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, originating as a locative name for families who lived near a cold spring or stream. The name is derived from the Old English words "col," meaning cool, and "wielle," meaning a spring or well. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Kent. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Colwill family were settled in this region, likely working as farmers or tradespeople who were deeply connected to the local parish communities. Over time, the spelling evolved from early variations to the modern form, reflecting the way names were recorded by local clerks based on how they sounded when spoken aloud. This transition highlights the family's long history of adapting to the changing social and administrative structures of rural England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Col-wielle
A cold spring or stream located in a valley.
This name
ColwillDerived from a Cornish or Devonshire place name referring to a cold water source.
also spelled
Colwill
Colwille
Colwall
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
