Columbine

This interesting and unusual surname, with the variations Collumbine and Cullabine, derives from the medieval male given name Columbine, from the Old Irish "Columban", a diminutive of "Colum(b)" (Latin "Columba", Dove). Columban was the name of an Irish missionary to Europe (born in Leinster, circa 540), who founded three monastic settlements at Annegray, Luxeuil and Fontaine, in the Vosges, and commenced the foundation of the great abbey of Bobbio in Italy in 614, the year prior to his death. With his companion, St. Gall, he enjoyed a considerable cult throughout central Europe, and forms of his name were adopted as given names: in Italy (Columbano, Colombini); France (Colomb, Colombain); Czechoslovakia (Kolman); and Ireland (Colman). From all of these surnames are derived. In Irish and English, the name of the saint (Columban) is identical with diminutives of the name of the 6th Century missionary, now generally known as St. Columba, who converted the Picts to Christianity. He was born in Dongegal circa 521, and died on the island of Iona in 597. The personal name in its Latin form "Columbus" and "Columba" was popular among early Christians because the dove was considered to be the symbol of the Holy Spirit, and in 1230, one Colubina le Noreis was recorded in London. On July 12th 1643, John Columbine, an infant, was christened at Stone (in the Isle of Oxney), Kent. The family Coat of Arms is a black shield with three silver doves, holding in their bills green olive branches. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Anne Collombine, which was dated August 7th 1569, marriage to John Raynoldes, at St. Botolph's, Bishopsgate, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.