The Cole Coat of Arms and Name Meaning
Discover the meaning of Cole, its origins in England, and the story behind a Cole family crest.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Cole coat of arms for you.
Origin of the Cole name
Cole comes from the Old English personal name Cola or Old Norse Koli, perhaps from col, "charcoal", a nickname for a swarthy man. In some families it is also a pet form of Nicholas. The surname was widespread in medieval England, especially the south and west, and is common in the United States.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Cole name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Cole name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Cole family history
The complete Cole pack goes much further: documented origins, early records and family spread, plus a hand-checked coat of arms.
Cole name FAQ
What does the Cole name mean?
Coal-black; pet form of Nicholas. Common variants include Coles, Coll, Colson.
Where does the Cole surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Cole coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Cole crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Cole coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.