Show ContentsCol History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Col is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the given name Nicholas. Coll was a popular diminutive of Nicholas in the Middle Ages.

Early Origins of the Col family

The surname Col was first found in Lincolnshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Col family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Col research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1293, 1334, 1379, 1406, 1408, 1438, 1524, 1777, 1796 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Col History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Col Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Col have been found, including Colls, Colles, Colle, Coll, Col and others.

Early Notables of the Col family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Allan Colle, a prominent landholder in 13th century Lincolnshire

Col Ranking

In France, the name Col is the 9,488th most popular surname with an estimated 500 - 1,000 people with that name. 1

Ireland Migration of the Col family to Ireland

Some of the Col family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Col family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Col, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : Richard Colles arrived in Virginia in 1640.


Contemporary Notables of the name Col (post 1700) +

  • Col Donohoe, Australian rugby league player
  • Col Joye AM (b. 1936), stage name Colin Frederick Jacobsen, an Australian popular entertainer and entrepreneur


  1. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/


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