This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Colville." Lower says,' There are three places in Normandy called Colleville From which of these came William de Colvile of Yorkshire, and Gilbert de Collavilla of Suffolk, mentioned in Domesday, is not yet ascertained' (Patr. Brit). With Colwell and Colwill, compare Boswell for Bosville. There is a township named Colwell in the parish of Chollerton, Northumberland But the above is the more probable origin.

Roger de Colevil, Norfolk, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Walter de Colevile, Lincolnshire ibid.

Philip de Colevill, Lincolnshire, ibid.

Roger de Colewell, Gloucestershire, ibid.

John de Colvele, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

Philip de Colwil, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

Johannes Colvill, et Magota uxor ejus, jailhur, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Peter Colewille, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

John Colwelle, Somerset, 1 Edward III: ibid.

1642. John Colwell and Mary Chancy: Marriage Lic. (London).

1739. Married — John Edwards and Hannah Colvill: St. Michael, Cornhill.

Although there are more than one place named Colleville (= Col's vill or farm) in Normandy the surname is probably from Coleville, a town between Caen and Bayeux in Normandy. The first of the name recorded in Scotland is Philip de Coleuille who witnessed a general confirmation by Malcolm IV of all the donations by his predecessors to the monastery of Dunfermline in or before 1159 (RD, 35), and other charters by Malcolm and William the Lion (APS., I, p. 364; REG, 15), etc. He possessed the baronies of Oxnam and Heiton in Roxburghshire (OPS, I, p. 389), and was a hostage for William the Lion under the treaty of Falaise in 1174 (Bain, I, 139). Thomas de Colevill appears in a perambulation of the marches of Elstanesnalche, 1181 (Melros, p. 111), and is a witness in a number of documents in the last decade of the twelfth century. In a charter of c. 1200 where he styles himself "Thomas de Colevilla cognomento Scot" he grants the land of Kerseban on the Doon to the Abbey of Vaudey in Lincolnshire (Melros, p. 172—173) The seal appended to the charter of Kerseban to the Abbey of Melrose, c. 1223, contains a classic head and the inscription Thome de Collevilla Scatti (Seals, 190). Thomas de Colouilla was charged with treason in 1211 (Coliron. Mail., s.a.). Ada de Coleuyll gave the lands of Kynnard in Fife to the Abbey and monks of Neubotle in 1241 (Neubotle, p. 169). Thomas de Coleville of Dumfriesshire rendered homage, 1296 (Bain, II, 810), Robert de Collevyll was lord of Oxenham c. 1330 (Kelso, p. 369—370), and Robert de Colvylle of Scotland for his courage and steady obedience to England was granted an annuity of 20 marks from the customs of Kingston on Hulle, 1358 (Bain, IV, 24). Mr. William Colveil, brother to the laird of Cleish, was admitted burgess of Glasgow, 1630 (Burgesses). Coilwill 16c, Colluyne 1503, Collwell 1541, Coluil 1655, Coluile 1503, Coluill 1512, Colvele 1484, Coivyle 1388, Coivy11 1432, Colweill and Colwell 1542, Colwill 1583, Colwyng 1546.

(English) belonging to Colwell = the Cold Well or Spring [Old English c(e)ald + wiella] Cp. Coldwell-Caldwell. (French) Anglicizations of Colvil(l)e, q.v.

(English) One who came from Caldwell (cold stream), in Yorkshire.

There are three places in Normandy called Colleville, situated in the respective neighbourhoods of Caen, Bayeux, and Yvetot. From which of these came William de Colvile of Yorkshire, and Gilbert de Colavilla of Suffolk, mentioned in Domesd., is not ascertained. The Scottish peer descends from Philip de C., a scion of the Anglo-Norman family who settled beyond the border in the XII. cent. Colevil, Colevile, Coleville, Colwile, Colewille. H.R.

A corruption of Colville. H.R.

The town in the defile-from col, a defile, and ville, a town. Gilbert de Colavilla or Colvyle was a commander in the army of William the Conqueror; his descendant Philip de Colvill, temp. William the Lion, was the founder of the Scottish branch of the family.

(French.) Local. From Col, a neck, strait, or defile; a pass between hills; and ville, a town, the place in the gorge or pass of the dell.

The village on the neck of the hill, or near the hazel—wood; Col, Gaelic, hazel; and ville, a village, changed into well. Coldwell denotes the quality of the water, a cold spring; Colwold, the hazel—wild, or bushy place of hazels.

A corruption of Colville (Lower).

A location name in Northumbd.