Show ContentsColtran History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Coltran family

The surname Coltran was first found in Galloway (Gaelic: Gall-ghaidhealaibh), an area of southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, that formerly consisted of the counties of Wigtown (West Galloway) and Kirkcudbright (East Galloway.)

"Explained as from Coltard-Colt herd, Old English colt + hierde. Of the Coultharts of Galloway a ridiculous genealogy has been published, in which the family are traced to one Coulthartus, a Roman soldier who fought in the battle of Mons Graupius." 1

We prefer to say that this legendary origin is in question and while the phonetic comparison is undeniable, we concur that this origin of the name is quite dubious. One source claims the name was actually an occupational name as in 'the coltherd' 2 and another claims the name is from Coudhart, a village in the department of Orne, of Argentan in Normandy. 3

Early History of the Coltran family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coltran research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1467, 1530, 1602, 1619, 1627, 1657, 1663, 1666, 1684, 1686 and 1687 are included under the topic Early Coltran History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coltran Spelling Variations

The many spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names result from the fact that scribes in that era spelled words according to sound. Translation too, was an undeveloped science, and many names were altered into complete obscurity. Over the years Coltran has been spelled Coltart, Colthart, Colthard, Colthert, Coltert, Coulthard and many more.

Early Notables of the Coltran family

Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Coltran Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Coltran family

To escape the uncertainties and discrimination faced in Scotland, many decided to head out for North America. Once they arrived, many Scots fought with relish in the American War of Independence; some went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Many ancestors of these Scots have recovered their lost national heritage in the 20th century through Clan organizations and Scottish historical societies. Among the settlers to North America were: Samuel Coltart who arrived in Philadelphia in 1841; Robert Coultart arrived in St. John Island 1775.



  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook