Clan Colville
Clan Colville (Colville Tartan)
Crest: A hind’s head couped at the neck, Argent
Motto: Oblier Ne Puis (I cannot forget)
Origin of Name: Placename, Normandy
Lands: Roxburghshire and Ayrshire
Clan Chief: The Rt. Hon. The Viscount of Culross
1. Colville Clan History
The origins of the Colville name trace back to the quaint Norman town of Colville-Sur-Mer. It's believed that they journeyed alongside William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquests. The Colvilles made their debut in Scotland during the 12th century.
Philip de Colville appeared as a witness on a charter from Malcolm IV to the Monastery of Dunfermline (Dunfermline Abbey main image). Sometime later, he was taken hostage, a common practice in medieval Europe, and later traded for the release of William the Lion in 1174.
The Colvilles were rewarded with baronies in Roxburghshire and other lands in Ayrshire. Philip's son, William, later acquired the barony of Kinnaird in Stirlingshire.
In 1291, Sir Reginald Cheyne of Inverugie passed away. His widow, E'stace, was the heiress of Sir William Colville of Oxnam and a signatory of the Ragman Roll.
Despite this, she is credited with elevating the Colvilles' fortunes. She made grants to the Abbey of Melrose, later confirmed in 1324. In 1350, David II confirmed the barony of Ochiltree.
The Colvilles found themselves at odds with the Douglasses after the murder of John Auchinleck, a friend of the Earl of Douglas. This feud ravaged much of the Colville estates and led to the loss of Kinnaird Castle, seized by force.
In retaliation, the Earl was fatally stabbed by the King at Stirling Castle. In 1450, the Colvilles rebuilt their home in a location far removed from the Auchinlecks.
Sir Robert Colville served as steward to Queen Margaret and headed the household of James the 4th. He mustered an army from his lands to fight for the King. Sadly, most of his troops perished at Flodden in 1513 alongside Sir Robert himself.
His son, Sir James Colville of Ochiltree, entered the Royal Household in 1527. By 1530, he exchanged his Ochiltree estate for the barony of East Wemyss and Lochorshyre in Fife with Hamilton of Finnart.
However, he later faced treason charges, and his estates were seized by the Crown until 1543.
Sir James Colville of Easter Wemyss fought for King Henry IV in France. In 1604, he was granted the title 'Lord Colville of Culross', a title still held by the chiefs.
The title was lost in 1640 upon the death of the second Lord without an heir but reinstated in 1723 when John Colville was raised to the peerage.
In 1746, Honourable Charles Colville led the 21st Regiment of Foot at the Battle of Culloden. Honourable Alexander Colville pursued a naval career, joining the navy in 1731.
He rose to the rank of commodore and played a vital role in relieving the besieged Quebec during the French and Indian War in 1755, subsequently becoming Vice Admiral.
Sir Charles Colville earned the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath for his service at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and in the Peninsular War. His son, Charles, inherited a peerage and was later named Viscount Colville of Culross.
The town of Colville in northern Washington, U.S., takes its name from Sir Andrew Colville, who encountered a tribe in that area. The title Viscount Colville of Culross is among the many titles held by this family. The current Viscount (the thirteenth Lord Colville of Culross) inherited the title in 1945.
2. Colville Clan Tartans
There's no registered Colville clan tartan on record. However, those linked to the surname can proudly don the Ayrshire District tartan, representing the region where the name was historically prominent.
The Ayrshire tartan was specifically created for families in Ayrshire who didn't have clan affiliations, following requests from Clan Boyd and Clan Cunningham Societies. Its colors symbolize the vibrant heritage of the area, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of Scotland.
Gold of the rising sun
Green of the land
Brown of the coast
Blue of the sea
Red of the setting sun
Threadcount G/8 Y4 G32 DT16 B40 R4 B/8
Ayrshire District
3. Clan Colville Crest & Coats of Arms
3.1 Clan Colville Crest
Worn by all of the name and ancestry
Crest Description:
A hind’s head couped at the neck, Argent
3.2 Clan Colville Coat of Arms
A note on Coats of Arms:
Under Scottish heraldic law, a coat of arms is granted to an individual, with the exception of civic or corporate arms. There is no concept of a 'family coat of arms'. The arms depicted below are personal and exclusive to the individual who has been granted them, with the aforementioned exceptions.
COLVILLE (plain)
Argent, a cross moline, Sable
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Arms of Colville, Lord and Viscount Colville, and Lord Colvill of Ochiltree:
In a quarterly pattern, the first and fourth quarters display Argent with a black cross moline, representing Colville, while the second and third quarters feature Gules with a fess chequy Argent and Azure, symbolizing Lindsay.
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Coleville of Cullross
In a quarterly partitioned design, the first and fourth quarters feature Argent, displaying a black cross moline, while the second and third quarters showcase Gules, with a fess chequy in Argent and Azure.
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Arms of Colville covering a 1705 book
4. Clan Colville Places & People
4.1 Clan Colville People
4.1.1 Sir Charles Colville (1770 – 1843)
This military leader from Britain made his mark in the Peninsular War and the Battle of Waterloo, climbing the ranks to become a Lieutenant General.
He earned prestigious titles like Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order for his valor and service.
4.1.2 John Colville (c. 1540-1605)
Born into the Colville family of Cleish, Kinross, this Scottish figure wore many hats—clergyman, judge, politician, and author.
His education at the University of St Andrews paved the way for a career as a Presbyterian minister, but he was more drawn to political intrigue, sharing covert information with the English government about Scottish affairs.
Aligning himself with the Earl of Gowrie's faction, he played a role in the Raid of Ruthven in 1582. Later, in 1587, he briefly served as a judge and represented Stirling in the Scottish Parliament.
However, his involvement in the Earl of Bothwell's assault on Holyrood Palace in December 1591 led to his outlawing alongside the earl. He sought refuge abroad and is rumored to have converted to Roman Catholicism. His journey ended in Paris in 1605.
Colville left behind a legacy of written works, including a funeral oration for Queen Elizabeth I of England and various political and religious essays. He is credited with authoring "The Historie and Life of King James the Sext," as well.
For those keen on delving deeper into his life, "Colville’s Original Letters, 1582-1603," offers insights and a biographical memoir penned by David Laing, the editor, published by the Bannatyne Club in 1858.