Show ContentsColsomb History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Colsomb name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in the region of Colston, a parish in the county of Nottingham.

Early Origins of the Colsomb family

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

Early History of the Colsomb family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Colsomb 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 Colsomb History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Colsomb Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Colsomb were recorded, including Coulson, Colson, Colsune, Colsoun, Colsoune, Culson, Culsoune, Cullson, Collson, Coullson, Collsoun and many more.

Early Notables of the Colsomb 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 Strype, the ecclesiastical historian." 1 Lancelot Colson (fl. 1668), was an astrologer who practised at the sign of the Royal Oak on...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Colsomb Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Colsomb family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Colsomb family emigrate to North America: John Coulson who settled in Hampstead, Connecticut, in the year 1666; John Coulson settled in Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia in 1774; and Adam Colson settled in Reading sometime before 1668.



The Colsomb 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.


  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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