Cole Family Crest framed artprint

The Cole Family Crest framed and printed on museum-quality matte paper. Beautifully illustrated. Carefully researched. Uniquely personal.

A meaningful gift for family occasions—whether it’s a milestone birthday, a housewarming or a wedding, this piece is an instant heirloom.

The origin of the name Cole

The surname Cole is an ancient name of English origin with multiple foundational roots. Primarily, it derives from the Old English personal name Cola, which was originally a nickname given to an individual with dark hair or a swarthy complexion, stemming from the word for "charcoal." Additionally, it developed across the British Isles as a popular medieval diminutive form of the personal name Nicholas (derived from the Greek Nikolaos, meaning "victory of the people"). The name stabilised as a permanent, hereditary family surname between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. One of the earliest official documentations of the name appears in the English Hundred Rolls of 1273, which records a William Cole in Cambridgeshire.

The symbolism of the Cole coat of arms

The Shield Color: The background is silver or white, which traditionally signifies peace, sincerity, and purity of purpose.

The Black Bull: The central figure on the shield is a solid black bull depicted in a walking motion. In heraldic tradition, the bull is a premier symbol of exceptional valor, physical strength, and magnanimity. It represents a strong-willed protector who is steadfast in defense of his lineage and estate. The black coloration denotes wisdom and constancy.

The Dragon: Positioned above the tournament helmet, the crest features a green dragon holding a golden arrow. The dragon is an ancient emblem of ultimate guardianship, power, and vigilance, signifying a family line that will fiercely defend its honor to the death.

The Border: The shield is surrounded by a black border decorated with gold coins (known historically as bezants), which traditionally represents wealth, financial trustworthiness, and successful commerce or civil service to the Crown.

Historical records and earliest evidence of creation

The formal registration of this exact coat of arms is well-documented across British and Irish historical archives:

The Earliest Recording (1634): This specific heraldic design featuring the black bull and the green dragon crest was formally verified and recorded during the 1634 Heraldic Visitation of Middlesex. It was registered to the prominent family line of Cole of Twickenham, who established significant landholdings just outside London during the Tudor and Stuart eras.

The Enniskillen Codification (1789): This identical heraldic framework was officially registered in Ireland following the migration of the family's senior branch. Sir William Cole (1567–1653) moved to Ulster and was appointed the first Provost of Enniskillen in 1612. His direct descendants consolidated their territorial power, and the lineage was formally elevated to the Peerage of Ireland when the title of Earl of Enniskillen was created in 1789, permanently recording these exact bull-and-dragon arms in the Dublin Castle registries.

Notable Historical Figures

Sir William Cole (1567–1653): A decisive military commander and administrator who fortified Enniskillen Castle, successfully defending the region during the turbulent mid-seventeenth-century conflicts and establishing the family's long-standing political prominence in County Fermanagh.

Thomas Cole (1801–1848): A highly celebrated nineteenth-century painter who was born in Lancashire, England, and later emigrated to the United States, where he became the historic founder of the Hudson River School, bringing global artistic renown to the family name.

About the artist

Each coat of arms in the Family Crests Store is an artwork by heraldic artist Éamonn Breathnach. All are carefully researched, drawing from the earliest available records across multiple heraldic archives. Noted for their elegance and attention to detail, these artworks make meaningful gifts for family occasions.

Product details

• Printed with water-based inks.
• Ayous wood .75″ (1.9 cm) thick frame from renewable forests
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil (0.26 mm)
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Acrylite front protector
• Hanging hardware included

No Warehouses. No Waste. Just for you, made to order.

This product is printed especially for you when ordered, one at a time, by royal decree of Mother Nature to keep the realm beautiful. Family Crests Store guarantees your custom treasure meets all EU and USA safety standards.