Colson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

England

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In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Colson surname lived in the region of Colston, a parish in the county of Nottingham.

Early Origins of the Colson family

The surname Colson was first found in Northumberland where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Colson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Colson research. Another 113 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1090, 1200, 1379, 1636, 1668, 1680, 1721, 1722 and 1760 are included under the topic Early Colson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Colson Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Colson are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Colson include: Coulson, Colson, Colsune, Colsoun, Colsoune, Culson, Culsoune, Cullson, Collson, Coullson, Collsoun and many more.

Early Notables of the Colson family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

John Colson (1680-1760), British mathematician, Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University. He "was son of Francis Colson of Lichfield, vicar-choral of the cathedral and nephew of John...
Lancelot Colson (fl. 1668), was an astrologer who practised at the sign of the Royal Oak on Great Tower Hill

Colson Ranking

In the United States, the name Colson is the 3,425^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Colson is ranked the 1,074^th most popular surname with an estimated 5,016 people with that name. 2

Colson migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Colson or a variant listed above:

Colson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Susan Colson, who landed in Virginia in 1628 3
Daniel Colson, who arrived in Maryland in 1650 3
Jane Colson, who landed in Virginia in 1654 3
James Colson, who arrived in Maryland in 1665 3
Adam Colson, who settled in Reading sometime before 1668
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Colson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Nathaniel Colson was an early settler in Newport
Gilman Colson, who settled in Savannah, Georgia in 1867

Colson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Colson Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Nicolas Colson, who landed in Canada in 1644
Nicole Colson, who arrived in Acadia in 1652

Colson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Colson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Colson, English convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Eden" on 27th August 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
Mr. George Colson, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 25th June 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5
Alfred Colson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Abberton" in 1849 6
Sarah Ann Colson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Abberton" in 1849 6
Thomas Colson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Abberton" in 1849 6

Colson migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Colson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Colson, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Empress" in 1865
Jane Colson, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Empress" in 1865
Sophia Colson, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Empress" in 1865
Sarah Jane Colson, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Empress" in 1865

Contemporary Notables of the name Colson (post 1700) +

Gary Colson (1934-2023), American basketball coach and executive, inducted into the Lipscomb Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998 in the "Athlete" category
Brigadier-General Charles Frederick Colson (1896-1970), American Commanding General Washington Military District (1952-1953) 7
Ethalinda Colson (1893-1959), American silent film actress who used the stage name Kathryn Adams
Charles Wendell "Chuck" Colson (b. 1931), American lawyer, counsel for Richard Nixon
General Louis-Antoine Colson (1875-1951), French Secretary of State of War, Vichy (1940) 8
Jean Claude Gilles Colson (1725-1778), French actor who used the stage name Bellecour
Perry Colson McGriff Jr. (1937-2017), American politician, Member of the Florida House of Representatives (2000-2002)
Colson Whitehead (b. 1969), American author, best known for his novel John Henry Days, recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship Award in 2002

The Colson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Je mourrai pour ceux que j'aime
Motto Translation: I would die for those I love.