The Colvin Armory

Coats of arms appeared initially in the 12th century as a means of helping combatants know who was on their side in the field of battle. The designs used were generally simple but distinctive, so that correct identification could be made quickly in the heat of battle. In time, the symbolism became more complex and often communicated something about the bearer's family, name, status, or place of residence.

Burke's General Armory, an old but authoritative resource on heraldic symbols and language, gives the following verbal description of the Colvil or Coleville family crest and coat of arms:

Arms: "Argent a cross moline gules, on a canton azure a trefoil slipped or."

Crest: "A hinds head couped argent, charged with a trefoil slipped vert."

A little library research revealed the heraldic meaning of the words as follows:

Argent: French word for "silver," one of the basic "tinctures" or colors of medieval shields.

Cross moline: The French word "moline" means mill. The cross moline resembles the metal straps that strengthen a millstone. The points at the ends of the straps were split and flared outward. The cross moline was used to indicate the eighth son.

Gules: red, a common color in heraldry. The red cross was often found on arms of those associated with the English court.

Canton azure: A canton is a square located, unless otherwise indicated, in the "chief dexter" or upper left corner of the shield, extending approximately 1/3 of the width of the shield. The upper right corner was known as the "chief sinister" position. It is important to note that the "chief dexter" position is on the right hand side of the shield bearer. Thus, the "chief sinister" position was to the bearer's left. In general, animals and other such figures faced the dexter side of the shield. Figures facing the sinister side of the shield represented illegitimacy.

Trefoil slipped or: A trefoil is a three-leafed grass, such a clover. The term "slipped" means torn or ripped loose from the main plant. It is the opposite of "couped" or cut cleanly. "Or" means gold, another heraldic tincture.

Hind's head couped argent: That simply means the head of a doe cut cleanly at the neck rendered in silver.

Charged: Charged objects are subordinate figures that appear in close association with or on top of main figures.

Vert: green

The crest was a later invention of the 15th century. The crest was worn on one's hat or clothing and was not associated battle. In time, families often forgot that they had a coat of arms, and the crest superceded the coat of arms in importance. Other families incorporated the coat of arms and family crest into a family seal complete with a motto, generally shown on a flowing banner beneath the coat of arms.

With respect to mottos, my research found no mention of the motto quoted from Burkes General Armory, "In hoc signo, vinces," God's oft quoted words to Emperor Constantine at the moment of his conversion to Christianity. Instead, I found four conflicting variations on the same theme used by various branches of the Colvin family. 

"Non obliviscar": Latin, meaning "I shall not forget."

"Obliviscar": "I shall forget."

"Obliviscaris": "Forget"<

"Oublier ne puis": French, meaning "I cannot forget."

One might be drawn to conclude that the various branches of the Colvins were in conflict over some issue in their distance past, now forever lost with the passage of time. Mottos, by the way, are very much a matter of individual preference. Therefore, feel free to adopt any of the above, according to your disposition or situation in life, or make up your own.

After several years of pondering the meaning of the Colvin motto and refusing to take sides with either the "remembering" or "forgetting" Colvins, I have finally decided, as a matter of individual preference, to adopt "Oblivisci"as the motto I will depict on the coat of arms on this site. It means "I have forgotten."  Having arrived at that stage in life where "senior moments" are likely to become more commonplace, my chosen motto is merely an admission of what will someday be very obvious to all of my friends and relatives, if not to me.