Collas

Revision as of 07:54, 8 March 2010

Origin of Surname

• Collas appears in the Extente of 1528. The Christian name was a pet name for Nicolas and developed as a surname. The name is found more in Guernsey than Jersey.

From Payne's Armorial of Jersey:

One of the most ancient houses of Britany is that of Collas, Seigneurs de I'Espine. At the disastrous battle of St Aubin-du-Cormier, Gratian Collas, of this family, being grievously wounded, was one among the many Bretons whose only safety lay in flight. He found, however, time and opportunity to carry with him his wife, and also some of his wealth, and, crossing over to the opposite coast of Jersey, took refuge in the parish of St Martin.

There, on 15 September 1490, he purchased, conjointly with Appaulina, his wife, the Maison de St Martin. As a striking instance of the integrity and simple faith of the islanders at that time, it may be mentioned that the contract referred to above was merely read at the foot of the high cross in the parish churchyard, which rendered the purchase valid. However, 20 years afterwards, it was deemed right to register the sale in the form of a deed, sealed with the broad seal of the island, and countersealed by Nicholas de Hamptonne, then Lieut-Bailly; which deed is still extant in the family.

From this spot the family has never removed, and the house, although rebuilt, occupies the site of its veteran predecessor.

Arms : Argent, a double-headed eagle, displayed, with wings inverted, sable, armed gules. Quartering: Or, on a mound in base vert, a holly-bush ppr; a bordure, sable, entoyre of eight mullets of six points, pierced of the first, for Bisson gules, three mullets, or, for Hamptonne or, three cherries, gules, stalked vert, for Messervy or, three leaves, vert, for Anqtjetil gules, four fusils conjoined in fesse, argent, a mullet for difference, for De Carteret.

Crest : A plain cross, or

Motto : Crux, spes imica

Variants

Family trees

Collas lineages in Jersey

• Descendants of Moise Collas (1639)

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