A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coulthard family of England.
Reg. 7208 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. three catharine wheels ar”
CumberlandScotby · Cumberland, c. 1784
Where the Coulthard Arms Were Recorded
Cumberland
Map of England showing where the Coulthard arms are recorded
The Coulthard arms were recorded in Cumberland, c. 1784.
Cumberland was rough border country in the north-west, facing Scotland across a disputed line. Its families held land in return for keeping it defended, and men who fought carried shields of their own.
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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in England when the Coulthard 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 Cumberland.
Origin & History of the Coulthard Family in England
The surname Coulthard is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Northern England, particularly within the county of Cumberland. Etymologists generally believe the name originated as a descriptive occupational title, likely referring to a "colt-herd" or someone who managed and looked after young horses. By the late 18th century, families bearing this name were well-established in the region, living as part of the rural communities that defined the borderlands. These early Coulthards were often involved in agriculture and local trade, reflecting the pastoral lifestyle of the area. Because the name grew out of a specific job, it suggests that the earliest ancestors were practical people who played a vital role in the daily economy of their villages. Their presence in Cumberland by 1784 highlights a long-standing connection to the northern countryside, where the family name became a permanent fixture of the local history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Colt-herd
A person who tends to young horses or colts.
This name
CoulthardAn occupational surname for a keeper or tender of young horses.
also spelled
Coulthart
Colthard
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
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
