Surname Colvie - Meaning and Origin
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Colvie: What does the surname Colvie mean?
The last name Colvie is of Scottish origin and can be traced back to the ancient kingdom of Dalriada in Scotland, where it was originally spelled as 'Colbha'. It was originally a nickname for a dark-haired or dark-complexioned person, derived from the Gaelic term 'calbh', meaning bald or bald-headed. Throughout the centuries, the name has been spelt in a variety of ways – Colvie, Colbie, Colvye – and its meaning has evolved to meanḗ ‘dove’.
In the Middle Ages, members of the Colvie clan resided in the Scottish Highlands along the River Dee and are believed to be amongst the first settlers of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is believed that the family’s surname originated from a topographical feature in the area, where dove-shaped islands were found in the mid-streams of the river.
The family name is associated with a rich cultural and historical heritage, as the Colvie clan became one of the most respected merchant and banking families in Scotland. Members of the Colvie family were well known for their connections to the banking industry, and some members of the family even served on the board of directors for several banks during the 18th century.
Today, the Colvie name is still found in many modern Scottish families. Although the name has evolved throughout the years, it still carries with it a sense of strength, and of belonging to an ancient and noble lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisColvie: Where does the name Colvie come from?
The Colvie surname is primarily found in the areas of Scotland, Ireland, and England today. In Scotland, the Scots-Gaelic version of the name (MacColmhaig) is particularly common. In Ireland, the name also has ties to the Irish-Gaelic sept of Mac Talon. Historians have identified the interesting origins of the name as being derived from the Latin term ‘Columela’ which translates to mean ‘Little Column’.
Within the United Kingdom, the Colvie surname is particularly high in numbers in the county of Devon and has been introduced to neighbouring areas such as Dorset. In the USA, the largest concentrations of people with the surname Colvie are found in California, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Australia also shares a strong relationship with individuals bearing the Colvie surname, with many having ancestral links to the United Kingdom.
The identification of the surname bearing individual is associated with the family’s noble status. This has been inherited throughout the generations and is often linked to strong military connections. This is further highlighted by the discovery of monuments dedicated to Colvie family members, such as the war memorial featuring their ancestor Sir James Colvie on the grounds of Kincardine Castle in Scotland.
Variations of the surname Colvie
The surname Colvie is an occupational surname of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Old English word col which means ‘coal’ or ‘charcoal’. This could imply that an ancestor of the Colvie family was once a charcoal burner. The common variants and spellings of Colvie are Colvie, Colvy, Colvye, Colvy, Colbie, Colbee and Colby. All of these variants point back to the original spelling of Colvie.
Some other surnames of the same origin include Colven, Colvil, Colvill, Coulven, Coulvil, Coulvill, Culven, Culvil, Culvill, Collen, Collin, Colling, Collings, Collon, Cooling, Cowling, and Collyns.
There is a variant of Colvie spelled Collvie. This is a less common variant and is most likely derived from a family of Irish immigrants who moved to Scotland in the late 1700’s.
Similar surnames include Colver, Colverd, Colvard, Colvin, Colvord, Colvarde, Colvor, Colvord, and Colvar. These all originate from the same source as Colvie, the Middle English word for coal.
In Scotland, the Colvie surname is quite common. In the United States, its popularity is much less. However, it is estimated that there are still over 500 people with this surname.
Famous people with the name Colvie
- Clara Colvie: Colombian beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Earth Colombia 2020.
- David Colvie: British actor best known for playing the role of a psychopath in the British television drama series Peak Practice.
- Katie Colvie: American snowboarder who represented her home country, the United States, in the 2018 Winter Olympics.
- Sean Colvie: Canadian NHL veteran who holds the record for most post-season goals of all time.
- Abigail Colvie: British actress who is best known for her work in the critically acclaimed BBC period drama series "Call the Midwife".
- Les Colvie: British actor who is best known for his portrayal of a detective in the BBC drama series "Midsomer Murders".
- Rosemary Colvie: American actress who is best known for her role in the hit television series "The O.C.".
- Brady Colvie: Australian hip-hop artist who gained popularity for his mixtape "S.T.F.U.F.M" released in 2016.
- Marilyn Colvie: Scottish television presenter and journalist who works for the BBC.
- Alexander Colvie: Canadian hockey player who was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2011 NHL Draft.