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Santa Coloma (surname)

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[edit] Santa Coloma (Surname and Family)

[edit] The Santa Coloma Surname

There are several variants of the Santa Coloma surname, including:

  • Santa Coloma (Argentina, Cuba, Spain)
  • de Santa Coloma (Argentina, Spain)
  • Santacoloma (Colombia, USA),
  • Santa Colomba (Italy, Portugal),
  • Santacolomba (Italy, USA),
  • Columbus (one Columbus family is derived from the last name Santa Colomba of Italy, in USA),
  • Sainte Colombe (France),
  • a Sancta Columba (Portugal), and
  • de Sancta Columba (antique form in Catalonia, England and France).

The name is probably in use in other countries of Latin-America, including Chile, Ecuador and México. We hope that others with knowledge of the family name in other contries will add to this article.

[edit] Meaning

Columba
Columba

As a surname "de Santa Coloma" and its variants are thought to be derived from a town named before Saint Columba.[1]. Whether the last name refers to Saint Columba of Sens or to Saint Columba of Cordoba has not been determined yet. Most likely it refers to Saint Columba of Sens (Sens is located in France), a Saint from the 3rd Century, since the Santa Coloma's, according to old documents from chroniclers, were present in the battle of Clavijo (844)[2] a century before Santa Coloma of Cordoba was born.

The word "Columba" may be translated as "a white pigeon", the symbol of peace, and is probably the root source of Saint Columba's name, and hence of the surname. In this regard its worth noting that some branches of the Santa Coloma family incorporate a pigeon bearing an olive branch as a component of their coat of arms. [3]. A white pigeon is used as a symbol of the veneration of the Holy spirit. With time, in some regions of Italy, this has led to confusion between the devotion to Saint Columba (Santa Colomba (IT)) and the veneration to the Holly Spirit.

It is thought that the name arose as a toponymic to indicate a family that came from a town bearing the name "Sancta Columba", viz:

  • “de Santa Coloma”,
  • "de Sainte Colombe",
  • "a Sancta Columba",
  • "de Sancta Columba",
  • "di Santa Colomba", etc,

all meaning "from the place of Saint Columba". The actual town of origin is yet a controversial matter.

[edit] Place of Origin

Flag of Basque Country
Flag of Catalonia
Flag of France
Flag of Italy
Flag of England

The surname "de Santa Coloma" and its variants may have arisen from common ancestor or, alternatively, independently originated in several towns of southern France and northern Spain, bearing the name of "Sancta Columba" (Santa Coloma in Latin). There are about 30 such towns in France, and at least ten in Spain, all named after Sancta Columba, Sainte Colombe, Santa Colomba and similar names. Most researchers, however, believe the name has a single point of origin, and that most, if not all persons bearing the Santa Coloma name arose from a single ancestor, originated from one of towns named "Santa Coloma". Where that town lay is a question of considerable interest.

There are several possibilities that are being considered for the origination point of the Santa Coloma surname:

While there are some reasons to believe that the surname might be originated in either Italy or England, both locations are considered to be unlikely. There are two surname variants in use in Italy, Santa Colomba (which line traces back to Gaspare di Santa Colomba or Gaspar de Santa Coloma) and Santacolomba (which line traces back to Arnaldo di Santacolomba or Arnaldo de Santa Coloma). Both Gaspar and Arnaldo are connected to families living in Catalonia prior to their immigration to Italy, making it unlikely that the surname originated in Italy.

With regard to England as a point of origin for the surname, this is also unlikely. The earliest use of the name in England is found in the 12th Century obit book of Hereford Cathedral in England. This document includes records for one "Ralph de Sancta Columba" and other members of the Sancta Columba family: Odo, Hugh, Osbert and another Ralph. It seems likely that this family came to England during or after the Norman Conquest, started at the year 1066, which would indicate a French continental origin. In the UK, the towns named after the St. Columba were originated in the 13th Century, later than the last name:[4]

  • Collombe – see St Columb Major (*CRO, P170/12/12/1, 1691); Sancta Columba, c.1240; Saint Colombe the Over, c.1547; St Columbe, 1586; St Cullombe the higher, 1643; St Columb, 1645; Collombe, 1691; Saint Collombe Le higher, 1694; St Columb the higher, 1738; St Columb Major, 1789; St Columb, 1838; St Columb Major, 1884, 1988.
  • Collombe Le higher, Saint – see St Columb Major (*CRO, GRA/225/4, 1694); Sancta Columba, c.1240; Saint Colombe the Over, c.1547; St Columbe, 1586; St Cullombe the higher, 1643; St Columb, 1645; Collombe, 1691; Saint Collombe Le higher, 1694; St Columb the higher, 1738; St Columb Major, 1789; St Columb, 1838; St Columb Major, 1884, 1988.
  • Collombe Le Lower, Saint – see St Columb Minor (*CRO, GRA/225/4, 1694); Sancta Columba Minor, 1284; Colombe the nether, 1549; Sent Columb minoris, 1558; St Colomb the neither, 1577; St Columb loer, c.1590s; Saint Collombe Le Lower, 1694; St Columb the lower, 1738; Lower St Columb, 1770, 1832; St Columb Minor, 1832; Saint Columb Minor, 1842; St Columb Minor, 1884, 1988.

Therefore, the earliest registry for these towns was in 1240, a century older than the registry for the Sancta Columba's family in the Hereford Cathedral. Thus, the last name does not seem to be originated in England. It should probably be of Norman origin, although it may be originated earlier in Spain.

Whether or not that ancient "de Sancta Columba" family had descendants in the UK is unknown. It is also unknown if the last name was changed in the UK with the pass of the centuries to some other form (Pigeon, Columbus, St. Columba, etc.) or just disappeared.

Simply given the frequency of occurrence of towns named after Saint Colomba, it would seem likely that the family name arose either in France or Spain, and then spread, as individual "Santa Coloma" migrated to other countries. In this regard, it is perhaps noteworthy that many of the towns named after Saint Columba lie along the mideval pilgrimage route known as The Way of St. James. This route stretches from southern France, through the Basque County, and into Santiago de Copostela in Galicia, in northwestern Spain. Along the way it passes through the town of Najera in Basque Country where some of the relics of Saint Columba are venerated.

Way of St. James
Way of St. James [5]

This leads to a possible (very speculative) explanation of the origin of the name, and to its subsequent redistribution. Following the Reconquista settlers from the French Pyrenees along the Spanish border, were encouraged to move south to reoccupy the land now vacated by the Moors. Given the large number of French towns named for Saint Columba it would not be unreasonable to think that some of those originally driven out of Spain during the Moorish conquest, settled in southern France; some of these Spanish expatriates may have venerated Saint Colomba, leading them to name their new locations after the Saint. Then, during the Reconquita persons from these town returned to their ancestral homeland, now taking the name of their town as a topograhic surname, ie, "de Sancta Columba".

However, some genealogists believe that the families using this surname all have a common Catalan origin. [6] Some support for this can be obtained by examining differences and similarities in the coat of arms borne by different family lines. For example, the Coat of Arms of Gaspar de Santa Coloma, from Arceniega, suggests that his family arose in Catalonia and migated to the Basque country during the "Reconquista". This is supported by the following:

  • The coat of arms of Santa Caloma of Catalonia show either a silver pigeon, (as Francesc de Santa Coloma1), or three pigeons, (as the Marquess Gaspar de Santa Coloma).
  • The Santa Coloma from the Valley of Mena (Arceniega, Basque Country), are distinguished by a coat of arms containing a solitary encina tree (an evergreen white oak, also known as the holly oak, the Holm Oak, or more properly Quercus ilex) and two wild boars.
  • The Santa Caloma from the Biscayne display a coat of arms bearing a solitary (see oak tree) and a solitary bear (see Arms for details).
  • The Coat of Arms of Gaspar de Santa Coloma (ES), born in Arceniega (ES) in the 18th Century, combines both the Catalan and Biscayne components. This COA shows three pigeons on the "dexter" (the right side of a shield to the bearer or the left side to an observer), while a bear and a oak tree appear on the "sinister" (the left side). Thus the dexter side of the COA includes the emblems characteristic of the Santa Caloma from Catalonia, while the sinister side shows the emblems characteristic of the Biscayne branch.

Significantly, despite the fact that Gaspar was born in Arceniega, his coat of arms does not show any of the components borne by Santa Caloma from the Valley of Mena, Arceniega, Basque Country. This is taken to indicate that Gaspar's family probably originated in either the Catalan or Biscayne regions, and moved to the other region for some period of time, before finally settling in Arceniega. It is not clear why he retained the Catalan/Biscayne elements, while other Santa Caloma in the Valley of Mena adopted the holly oak and two wild boar components.

Knight of St. James
Knight of St. James
Cross corresponding to the Order of Malta
Cross corresponding to the Order of Malta

There are more than twenty eight towns and cities in France named "Sainte Colombe", and some were known in the past as "Sancta Columba". In Spain we can find around ten towns and cities (much less than in France). This seems to correlate to the extent of the devotion to Sancta Columba of Sens in France and Spain, the most antique of the Columba's Saints. Thus, the same "Way of St. James" that follow the expansion of the devotion to Saint Columba (Sancta Columba), during several centuries, could also parallel the expansion of the towns and last name Santa Coloma in the North of the Iberian Peninsula.

By comparing the dates of birth of the Santa Coloma of France, Catalonia, Basque Country, Portugal and England, a more clear picture could be obtained regarding the most ancient branch and perhaps also from the origin of the last name.

Interestingly, there is also a branch in Portugal, corresponding to Pedro de Santa Colomba ("Petrus a Sancta-Columba") of 1650. We have little information about his origins, but it is possible that Petrus a Sancta Columba represents the end of the expansion of this last name in the Iberian peninsula.

It should be taking into account that theTemplars had a special devotion to Sancta Columba (also to “Our Lady of the Oak” or “Nuestra Señora de la Encina”), and that the Templars where not persecuted in Portugal (they only change the name to "Ordem Militar de Christo" or "Order of Christ") and therefore the devotion to Sancta Columba of Sens probably survive in Portugal (in Spain it was eventually replaced by the devotion to Sancta Columba of Córdoba), together with the homonymous towns, which might be the origin of the last name in Portugal if they were toponymic. However, a simplest explanation for the presence of the surname in Portugal could be the migration to Portugal of some members of the "de Sancta Columba" family from Catalugna or from the Basque Country, following the way of St. James.

Our understanding of the origin of the Santa Coloma surname is greatly hindered by the limited historical accounts among the Basque. An exception to this are the memoirs of Gaspar de Santa Coloma, in Argentina. This 14 volume work written between the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th Centuries, constitutes the most important reference for the history of the colonial Buenos Aires. This work is available at the National Historic Museum of Argentina (ES) of Argentina.

Finally, some members of the Santa Coloma family were Knights of St. James and Knights of Malta, and the corresponding archives might contribute important data regarding their history and origin, yet to be investigated.

[edit] History

Interpretation of Saint James the Great as Saint James the Moor-slayer. Image from the 17th Century, of the school of Cuzco. St. James is represented with the mantle of his Order of Santiago
Interpretation of Saint James the Great as Saint James the Moor-slayer. Image from the 17th Century, of the school of Cuzco. St. James is represented with the mantle of his Order of Santiago


Information related to the Santa Coloma of the Ayala Valley and Mena's Valley is provided in the "Royal Decree of heraldry and blazons" for Don Juan Tomás de Gandarias y Durañona (ES)[2], grandson of Magdalena de Santa Coloma y Loyzaga. The history was written in the Royal Decree by Don Francisco Zazo y Rosillo, Chronicler and King of Arms of Don Felipe V, as follows:

"In the Volume IV, folio 330 of his original drafts the chronicler 18 tells us that:

They founded their ancient and noble house at Santa Coloma, in the land of Ayala, within the lordship of Biscay. Their children fought against the invaders from the beginning of this Monarchy, especially in the Battle of Clavijo and in the Battle of "del Salado", year 1340".3

When the French surrounded Fuenterrabia, sixty thousand men joined the Biscaynes, which under Anselmo Yturrigoitia, Bernardo Santa Coloma and others, obtained a great victory, taking twelve pieces of artillery that were the used in the defense of that place....

"In this way was written in the mentioned draft by the chronicler, and it is confirmed by Don Jorge de Montemayor, Volume 15, folio 54, and Don Gerónimo de Villa, Volume 19, folio 268 reverse, mentioning to Don Pedro de Santa Coloma y Salazar, neighbor of the Arceniega village at Villareal de Mena, and Patron of the convent of monks in that village".

"Don Juan Francisco de Maniaca Mujica and Don Esteban de Lariz y Munrabe, Knight and monk of the Order of Santiago in the registry of Don Pedro of Santa Coloma, applicant to the habit of the same Order, in the year of 1688, tells us that family home in Santa Coloma was near the parochial Church but distant from other houses, that it was a square tower, with corners, doors and windows of ashlar masonry stone, with a balcony of iron, and the family coat of arms placed over the entrance door. 4 This house belonged to his uncle, Don Juan of Santa Coloma Ortiz de Iturrizar, a Knight of this Order of Santiago beginning in 1668...".

The battle of Fuentarrabia, in which Bernardo de Santa Coloma was involved, was in the year 1638.

[Information on the history of this surname and family in Catalonia, France, Italy, England, Portugal and America in general will be provided as it becomes available.]

[edit] Derived surnames

The Santa Coloma surname takes a variety of forms. Most, such as "Santacoloma" or "Santa Colomba" are readily recognizable as toponymics related to "Santa Coloma". An additional variant, "McCollum", or more commonly "MacCollum" is in common use in Scotland. However, its use there seems to be derived as a patronymic instead of a toponymic, meaning 'son of the servant of St. Columba' (Gaelic/Latin)[7]

Other forms of this surname, some of clear Catalan origin, are Santacoloma -in Colombia and USA- and Santa Colomba (IT) or Santacolomba (IT) -in Sicilia an other regions of Italy- almost stinghished. In Sicily at least one family Santa Colomba and three families Santacolomba remain. There are also two families in the rest of Italy (see "La mappa dei cognomi").

Many times the derived-surnames were used to distinguish two members of the same family, or they were modified to be adapted to the local language, as it was the case of Lucio de Santa Colomba (Sicilian), son of Gaspar de Santa Coloma (Catalan), both in the Two Sicilies. Presumably, Lucio was the ancestor of the branch still found today in Sicily.

On the other hand, Arnaldo Santacolomba, Lord of Isnelo (1453), should be the ancestor of the Santacolomba branch in Sicily. Some members if this family migrated to New Orleans in 1910; they depart from Palermo, Sicily, on September 18th 1910 and arrived to the port of New Orleans on October 7th 1910, in the ship SS Liguria. They were Concetta Santacolomba, of 18 years, Vincenzo of 15, Giovanni of 11, Salvatore of 7 and their mother, Ángela Greco, of 50 years. They were from Cefalú (IT). They went to meet Salvatore Santacolomba, husband of Ángela. [8]. Thus, the surname Santacolomba, of New Orleans, has a Sicilian origin and previously, from Catalonia. As happens with the transformation of "de Santa Coloma" to "di Santa Colomba" in Italy, in the United States some members of the Santa Colomba family (or Santacolomba; not yet clear) changed again their surname in order to adapt it to the local language, this time as "Columbus" [9]

In addition, it was suggested that the families Santa Coloma, Coloma, Colomina and Colom, all have a common origin. There is no doubt that the Arms are similar (see Arms), but so far there is not direct prove of a common origin for these families. In particular, Colomina was originated in the town Santa Coloma de Queralt, that belong the the Count of Santa Coloma; therefore, it is likely to have a common origin with the Santa Coloma family.

Finally, the surname Santa Coloma exist in France under the form "Sainte Colombe" or "de Sainte Colombe". They were noble originally from the place of Sainte Colombe (previously called Sancta Columba), near Beaujolais (FR) and Forez (FR). Their relation with the family Santa Coloma of Spain, if any, is yet unknown. They might represent the most antique branch of the family, mainly if the form "de Sancta Columba" is considered, but there are not enough data yet to confirm this idea. Nevertheless, the last name "de Sancta Columba" can be found in the France of the 13th Century (for details see the section Santa Coloma in France). So, it is likely that the last name was adapted with time to the French form of "de Sainte Colombe".

[edit] Titles

The following Titles are known for de Santa Coloma, di Santa Colomba, di Santacolomba, and de Sainte Colombe,

  • Thought a Privilege of July 20th 1453 from Alfonse The Magnanimous, Arnaldo de Santacolomba, Lord of Isnello, Sicily, obtained the "mero e misto imperio" [10].
  • The title of Marquis of Santa Coloma (Marqués de Santa Coloma) was given in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies to Gaspar de Santa Coloma (Catalan; this person was not the same Gaspar de Santa Coloma of Arceniega, although both have the same Arms, and therefore, it is presumed a common origin); Then, on March 29th 1671, his son Lucio di Santa Colomba (the surname was adapted by his son to Italian language)inherited the title. Later, for unclear reasons, Charles II gave the title of Marqués de Santa Coloma to Sebastián de la Torre y Borrás (from Aragon, Spain), on April 21st 1684 [11].
  • Actually, the Marqués de Santa Coloma reside in Bilbao; until no further confirmation, it is presumed that he belong to the family of de la Torre y Borrás, with no relation with the family Santa Coloma.
  • The title of "Conde de Santa Coloma" (Count of Santa Coloma) was given to Don Pedro de Queralt e Icart by Philippe III of Spain on July 18th 1599 (see Heráldica Santa Coloma (ES)).
  • François-Benoît de Sainte Colombe (1718-1784), Marquis de L'aubespine, married to Renée-Henriette de La Guiche, [12], daughter of Philibert de La Guiche, Count of Sivignon (FR), in the year of 1656.
  • Comte Rodolphe de Sainte Colombe et du Poyet, Marquis de L'aubespin.
  • Comte Louis Gabriel de Sainte Colombe, Marquis de L'aubespin.
  • Jacques de Sainte-Colombe, Seigneur de Thil.

[edit] Arms

Santa Coloma, Valle de Mena
Santa Coloma, Valle de Mena

Many of the antique families of Spain have several Coat of Arms, according to the origin of each branch or to the characteristics of each member with the right to use a shield. Unfortunately, nothing has been written (at least not found so far) regarding the real history of the persons that obtained the Coat of Arms of the Santa Coloma's in the first place, and the actual meaning of each symbol has been lost forever.

According to the Kin of Arms, as documented in the decree of Heraldry and Blazons of Juan Tomás de Gandarias y Durañona [2], grandson of Magdalena de Santa Coloma y Loyzaga, sister of Tomás de Santa Coloma y Loyzaga (the last emigrated to Argentina around 1846), to the descendants of Diego de Santa Coloma (~1645) correspond the Coat of Arms given to Pedro de Santa Coloma y Salazar:

“Usan por armas los de esta noble casa y apellido un escudo de oro con encina verde, frutado del mismo metal, á su pié dos jabalíes negros andantes, sus bocas rojas y colmillos de plata; bordura gules con ocho aspas de oro”. [2].

"Use by arms those of this noble house and last name a shield of gold with a green oak, fruits of the same metal, and to its foot two black andante wild boars, their red mouths and eyeteeth of silver; bordure gules with eight gold vanes"

Santa Coloma (Arceniega).Church of Sancta Columba: second building from the right; Casatorre of Santa Coloma Salazar: first building from the right; over the door the Coat of Arms of Salazar family -relatives of this Santa Coloma-can be observed
Santa Coloma (Arceniega).Church of Sancta Columba: second building from the right; Casatorre of Santa Coloma Salazar: first building from the right; over the door the Coat of Arms of Salazar family -relatives of this Santa Coloma-can be observed
Coat of Arms of Salazar Found over the door of the Casatorre Santa Coloma Salazar, in Santa Coloma, Arceniega, Spain
Coat of Arms of Salazar Found over the door of the Casatorre Santa Coloma Salazar, in Santa Coloma, Arceniega, Spain

More details should be found in the archives of the Order of Santiago, under Pedro de Santa Coloma y Viar (b. in Santiago de Bilbao April 21st 1669, Knight of the Order of Santiago (St. James) on September 22nd 1698) and in other documents mentioned by the Kind of Arms in the mentioned decree of Heraldry. [2] Pedro de Santa Coloma y Salazar, Mayor of Arceniega (ES) (see section Anecdotes) and Knight of St. James, should also be registered in the archive of the Order of Santiago.

The Salazar family, on the other hand, constitute one of the oldest Basque ancestry [13]. Curiously, in the front of the Santa Coloma house in Santa Coloma, Arceniega, the Coat of Arms of the Salazar family can be observed. The house of Santa Coloma apparently have disappeared.

On the other hand, Tomás R. Makintach Calaza (Argentinean) have in his hand another Coat of Arms, corresponding to his ancestor Gaspar de Santa Coloma, who have emigrated to the "Río de la Plata" in 1768. According to Tomás Makintach, in a publication in the Journal "El Diario Español" (Sunday April 8th 1945), the Coat of Arms corresponding to Gaspar was:

“Divide shield. On the dexter in field of azur three pigeons of silver, having the first in the bill a olive branch of the same metal; and in the sinester, in field of gold, a raised black bear near the trunk of the tree. This, according to the cronistas and Argote de Molina, folio 73 reverse, Arms of Don Gaspar de Santa Coloma y Sollano, who went to the "Río de la Plata" in the 18th Century. Field in my hands”. Tomás Makintach.

This Cost of Arms is interesting since it reinforce the idea that the Santa Coloma of Arceniega and other Basque regions came from Catalonia and that the expanded towards the Basque Country, Navarra, Castilla and Aragon during the Reconquista. Thus, the Coat of Arms from the Santa Coloma's from Catalonia is identical to the dexter of the Coat of Arms of Gaspar de Santa Coloma, in which three pigeons in azur field can be bound. It is interesting also to note that at the sinester of the shield of Gaspar de Santa Coloma there is a tree, but with a bear instead of two wild boards, which correspond to the Santa Coloma's Biscayne.

The shield of Gaspar de Santa Coloma is important since it links the Santa Coloma of the Mena Valley with the Santa Coloma of Catalonia, and Biscay. On the other hand, the shield of Tomás de Santa Coloma has symbolic links with the holly oaks, the Mena Valley and the Clavijo. But can have still many questions: Which is the reason to have holly oak in the shield? Is this for Our Lady of the Holly Oak, tree under which the "Juntas Forales" met, or due to some other unknown reason? And the meaning of the wild boards? Why the Coat of the Salazar is not included in the shield? Why is the Salazar Coat of Arms in the front of the Santa Coloma house, but not found in any other house? What happened to the noble house of the Santa Coloma of Arceniega? Unfortunately we do not have any written document to help with these questions yet.

Many can describe the heraldic meaning of the Arms, but it would be difficult to find the real motivations to select those particular symbols in the shields, since nothing is written or transmitted by oral tradition (or lost with the centuries passing by). The same can be applied to the shield of Gaspar de Santa Coloma: To whom this shield corresponded originally? Why a bear? Why an oak and not a holly oak? How can we prove the common origin between those from Catalonia, Arceniega and Biscay suggested by the Arms? Someone in the future might found additional data and can contribute to answer these questions, which is one of the objectives of this article.

The Coat of Arms from Catalonia has also variants:

  • In a shield of gules, a silver pigeon. For example, the blazon of Francesc Santa Coloma, lieutenant of Roger de Moncada, General Governor of Cerdeña, years 1398-1401.
  • In a shield of azur, a silver pigeon.
  • In a shield of azur, three silver pigeons well ordered.
  • From Bagà, in a shield of azur, three silver pigeons well ordered.
  • From Girona, in a shield of azur, three silver pigeons well ordered.

[edit] Symbolism in the Coat of Arms

The heraldic meaning of the shields is as follows:

Santa Coloma of the Valley of Mena and the Valley of Ayala ,

  • Shield of gold: it symbolizes the nobility, the splendor, the prosperity, magnanimity, certainty, wealth, power and light. The family who took this enamel, therefore, had to characterize by her qualities of magnanimity and nobility and to serve to the King cultivating the Beautiful Letters. They had to be first in defending and carrying the chivalrous virtues, to protect to the needed ones and to defend the Sovereign, with the obligation to the service and protection of the Letters before its Sovereign and Mother country. Those taking this metal in their shields are forced to make the good to the poor men, and to defend their Princes, fighting by them until its last drop of blood.
  • Tree: It indicates old and clarified nobility, with stability, fecundity and love in valiant companies. Defender of the Fueros. The meetings “Juntas Forales” of Santa Coloma became under the holly oak tree that is next to the Church of Our Lady of the Oak in Arceniega. As it is fruit tree, it indicates naivete in the studies. The oak leaf means fierceness and tenacity. Oak in individual: Symbol of strong and constant spirit in heroic actions. With this emblem García Jiménez, King of Navarre, founded the Military order of the Oak, destined to fight with strength against the Moors. Its symbol was a green oak and on top was a Cross anchored of gules with this legend: “I do not fear nor to thousands that they surround to me”.
  • Two black wild boars andantes, red mouths and eyeteeth of silver: A wild boar means warlike intrepidity. Two means, obviously, much intrepidity (reinforced by the Cross of San Andrés 5 and the Oak). 6
  • Bordure of gules: it represents the level of arms of the Knight that dressed for the war and it was granted to the soldiers who left the combat with that dress or shield covered by the blood of the enemy. It is symbol of protection, favor and compensates, being a particular concession of the King of Spain.
  • Eight gold vanes: Represents the Saint Andrews Crosses 5, also called scallop shells: they symbolize attendance to the battle of Clavijo, in the year 844, where the Santiago apostle appeared protecting to the soldiers. Also it indicates invicto in the combats.

Santa Coloma (Catalonia and Sicily), Santa Coloma (Bizcay), Sainte Colombe (France), Sancta Columba (England and France), Coloma, Colomina, and Colom (Spain)

  • (collecting data)

[edit] Additional data regarding the possible origin of the surname Santa Coloma

Since the “bear” corresponds to the shield of the Santa Coloma family from Biscay, the shield of Gaspar de Santa Coloma (Basque), with Catalan components in its dexter and Biscayne in the sinister, it suggest the possible route followed by the ancestors of Gaspar. The alternatives are (not necessarily in the indicated exact order):

Regarding England, Ireland and Scotland, they were included for different reasons that need further investigation. In the first place, it is interesting to consider the life of Saint Columba (not the Virgin but the disciple of St. Patrick), which is the Saint Patron of Scotland; this will be considered later, when describing the different Saints. Also, it is important to consider Saint Columba of Cornwall (6th Century), since her legend is very likely a local adaptation of the legend of Sancta Columba de Sens (3rd Century), suggesting that the devotion to Saint Columba of Sens reached Great Britain. However, with respect to the last name, it is necessary to emphasize that in Great Britain the toponymic last names are not common at all. In searching for members of this family and last name, it was considered first the possibility that the surname changed radically with the passage of time, as it happened with a branch of the last name Santa Colomba in USA, which is now Columbus. Thus, the surname Pigeon (also deformed to Pidgeon) was found in England. This surname was originated in the Normand invasion to England in the year 1066. Peculiarly, their arms are identical to the Arms of those Santa Coloma from Catalonia (three doves). This similarity in the shields could be only accidental, due to the identical meaning of the words Columba and Pigeon, but it also suggests a common origin (Sainte Colombe in the south of France  Colombe  Pigeon, in Normandy). Thus, the situation with the surname Pigeon is now identical to the case of the surnames Coloma and Colom of Catalonia, although now in a different language (same Arms suggesting a common origin). However, these are only working hypotheses that need documentation to prove it.

Now the most interesting finding: using exactly the reverse strategy of searching the last name as it must originally have been (in the form of “Sancta Columba”), it was found in The obit book of Hereford Cathedral a reference to an individual named “Ralph de Sancta Columba”. Not only Ralph was found, but also other members of the “family Sancta Columba”, as Odo, Hugh, Osbert and another Ralph. The document stays textually:

" To Ralph de Sancta Columba was dog. of York Minster in the 12th cent. (1 Fasti I SAW 127). For to other members of the family - Odo, Hugh, Osbert and to another Ralph - see 23 entries for Feb., 15 March, 1 Sept. and 13 Sept. “(dog. = canon) [14]. Note that the last name is “de Sancta Columba” and not “of Sancta Columba”.

Cross of St. James (Santiago) in the Cattle of Clavijo
Cross of St. James (Santiago) in the Cattle of Clavijo

The data indicates that the last name “de Sancta Columba” existed in England in the 12th Century. Peculiarly, so far, this it is the oldest data known for a member of this last name, except by the reference to the battle of Clavijo already mentioned in the case of those Santa Coloma from the Valley of Mena. Nevertheless, the reference for the battle of Clavijo was not explicit, and only mentions that “their children” were in this battle, without mentioning names or last names. Even worst, some historians consider that the Battle of Clavijo is just a legend that actually never happened. Thus, so far, the reference from the Cathedral of Hereford constitutes the oldest record found for a member of this last name (in its oldest form of de Sancta Columba). Without a doubt, now becomes very interesting to determine which is the origin of this people of Hereford and if they represent a branch of the same family, or represent only a local toponymic surname.

Was ultimately the surname Santa Coloma originated in England?

It is a possibility, at least to be considered. However, the last name in England was not “of Sancta Columba” but “de Sancta Columba”, identical to the old form of the last name in France that can be found a century later (see below). And in France “de Sainte Colombe” and “de Sancta Columba” do not have the particle “du” (French) but “de” (Spanish). This suggests that the oldest origin should be from Spain, as the reference to Clavijo suggest, although this is something that requires a specialist in old French, Spanish and Latin.

Following the same line of research, a very interesting reference was found. It demonstrates that the last name “de Sancta Columba” existed in France in the 13th Century (probably soon it was adapted to the French language with the form “de Sainte Colombe” instead of “de Sancta Columba”, as the towns did). But this reference is important also due to a different reason: It refers to the first patent in history! It was granted to “Bonafusus de Sancta Columba” (citizen of Bordeaux) by the city of Bordeaux (Bordeaux), privilege confirmed by Enrique III of England:

… the first privileges granted to importers of foreign techniques (exogenous invention) (1236, privilege granted to Bonafusus de Sancta Columba by the City of Bordeaux, and confirmed by Henry III, the French or the English)… [1]

It should be noted that this last name was identical to that of Ralph in England dated a century erlier. So, Were the surname “de Sancta Columba” was originated? In England or In France? This reference to Bonafusus is the oldest found in France so far, and correspond to the 13th Century, whereas the one from the Hereford Cathedral corresponded to the 12th Century. More data are needed.

Returning to the surname Santa Coloma in Spain, noteworthy, it was not found yet any record corresponding to the old form “de Sancta Columba”. Perhaps some additional information could be found in the registries that mentions the decree of Heraldry of Don Juan Tomás de Gandarias y Durañona. [2] Also in the “Catalogo Monumental de la Diócesis de Vitoria”, [15] where the Church of Santa Coloma in the town of Santa Coloma is described. Finally, in the registries of the Order of Santiago that can be found in the Archives of the Royal Chancellery of Valladolid. Perhaps additional information can be found in the Churches of Santa Coloma near Nájera (ES), in Catalonia, Andorra, Sens (FR) or other towns of France.

It is possible that those from Arceniega have taken the last name as a toponymic from Santa Coloma in Arceniega, without any relationship with those Santa Coloma’s from Biscay and Catalonia. But this not seems to be the case; at least this is not the case for Gaspar de Santa Coloma (with a Catalan origin suggested by his Coat of Arms) and neither the case of Pedro de Santa Coloma y Salazar, since their ancestors were in the Battle of Clavijo (assuming that this data is correct); that is, two centuries previous to the existence of the town Santa Coloma in Arceniega, whit a Church belonging to the 11th Century. The Church of Santa Columba in Santa Coloma (Arceniega) belongs to the 11th Century [15] and could mark the approximate date in which the Santa Coloma’s migrated to Arceniega. Thus, a toponymic origin in Arceniega is very unlikely for Gaspar de Santa Coloma and also for Pedro de Santa Coloma y Salazar.

In the La Rioja, Spain, there is another villa of Santa Coloma, on the side of mount Ero (also called Serradero), that is a small town located to 763 ms of altitude, 5 km of Nájera and 22 km from Logroño. The city of Nájera was core and origin of the kingdoms of Navarra, Castilla and Aragón. Interestingly, in this villa of Santa Coloma can be found a neighboring hermit dedicated to San Miguel and another one to San Pelayo, as it happens in [[wikipedia:es:Arceniega| Arceniega]. This cannot be accidental. The villa of Santa Coloma in Nájera was already founded by the year 923, 10th Century, whereas the Church of Arceniega belong to the 11th Century [15]; that is to say, the one from Arceniega was made one century later and, in addition, it is very modest compared to the Monastery that existed in Santa Coloma near Nájera. These facts suggest that the Santa Coloma’s from Arceniega could have emigrated from the villa of Santa Coloma near Nájera, and that when emigrating towards Arceniega constructed to the Church of Santa Coloma and the hermits of San Miguel (today disappeared) and San Pelayo (today in ruins), as they existed previously in Nájera. It would not be the only case in which a member of the Santa Coloma’s family build a Church for the Santa Coloma Virgin. It is know that the Church of Santa Coloma (Arceniega) was reconstructed by Miguel de Santa Coloma [15], likely with founds sent by Gaspar de Santa Coloma from the colonies. Something similar happened more contemporaneously in Baradero, Province of Buenos Aires (ES), Argentina, where the family Santa Coloma - descendants of Juan Antonio of Santa Coloma, nephew of Gaspar of Santa Coloma - gave origin to a railway station (see Anecdotes, " The two railway stations of Santa Coloma "), that eventually originated a town of the same name, as well as a Chapel dedicated to Santa Coloma (although they lack there, so far, the hermits dedicated to San Miguel and San Pelayo). Lamentably, the books of the Church of Sancta Columba of Arceniega - to be found in the Archives of the Dioceses of Vitoria- contain registry only up to the year 1600. Thus, to be able to track these roots still more, it would be necessary to arrive first from the 17th Century to the 11th Century in Arceniega (24 generations from the year 1600; the books that are missing might be found, perhaps, in the Archives of Santander), date in which the Church in Arceniega was first made. And then, another 100 years back until arriving to Nájera (28 generations in total!). The only way is to find the registries previous to the 1600, if they still exist.

Which is the history of Santa Coloma de Nájera? Exists or existed the surname Santa Coloma in Nájera? How was the town Santa Coloma of Nájera originated?

Ordoño II
Ordoño II

In this sense, it is interesting to note that the monastery of Santa Coloma, who gave origin to the town of Santa Coloma (Nájera), was founded by Ordoño II [2]. The Asturian King Ordoño I was probably who faced the Moors in the battle of Clavijo (not Ramiro I, for reasons of dates). In the Battle of Clavijo, according to the mentioned Decree of Heraldry [2], the Santa Coloma were present and they should have been under the command of Ordoño I. It is clear then that Ordoño II, the founder of the Monastery of Santa Coloma near Nájera, came later. Thus, these data suggest that the monastery and the town of Santa Coloma near Nájera were created later than the last name Santa Coloma, already present with Ordoño I in Clavijo. This is of course assuming that the Santa Coloma’s were already using this last name in the Battle of Clavijo, as suggested by the Decree of Heraldry, [2] and that the Battle of Clavijo was not only a legend, something that also need further research.

With respect to Catalonia, the first Santa Coloma documented came from the 14th Century and was natural of Santa Coloma de Saserra (ES), in the Catalan region of Moianés. On the other hand, the foundation of Santa Coloma near Nájera is older 6, corresponding to the 10th Century, and the Battle of Clavijo was in the 9th Century, enough time to consider that the last name Santa Coloma was probably originated in the Basque Country and not in Catalonia (unless the Santa Coloma in the Batle of Clavijo should had came from Catalonia to the battle field, something unlikely with the data known for the Santa Coloma’s in Catalonia, at least so far). It is also interesting to consider that the Monastery of Santa Coloma in Nájera, apparently corresponded to the devotion to Sancta Columba of Sens (3rd Century) instead of the devotion to Sancta Columba of Córdoba (853) (the image of Santa Columba in Arceniega (ES) corresponds to Sancta Columba of Córdoba). This Monastery was founded by monks of the Templar (first) and Augustine (later) Orders from France, indicating that the devotion to Sancta Columba came originally from France and not from Córdoba. As the devotion, the surname could also be originated in France, and displaced towards the south following the Way of St. James along with the devotion to Sancta Columba, as already mentioned:

France (Sancta Columba de Sens) --> Templar Knights and San Agustin monks --> Andorra --> Biscay (the bear and the oak) --> Catalonia (the doves) and Valley of Ayala --> Valley of Mena (the oak and the wild boars).

The Church of Santa Coloma in Andorra (unknown origin), could mark the transition from France to Catalonia and Biscay of the devotion to Sancta Columba, of the last name and perhaps of the family Santa Coloma.

Now, DNA testing can help to clarify if the different families Santa Coloma, Sainte Colombe, Santa Columba, Colomina, Colom, Coloma, etc., are related and have a common origin or not. Also, how each branch was formed. Perhaps in the future some voluntaries could be found in each family to do the test and find out if we have indeed a common origin. Fascinating!

[edit] Santa Coloma (Virgin and martyr)

Santa Columba of Cordoba. Image found in the Church of Sancta Columba, in Santa Coloma, Arceniega, Basque Country
Santa Columba of Cordoba. Image found in the Church of Sancta Columba, in Santa Coloma, Arceniega, Basque Country
Saint Columba
Saint Columba

The legend of Saint Columba - Sanctae Columbae in Latin, with its variations Saint Columba, Sancta Columba (ES), Santa Coloma (ES), Santa Colomba (IT), and Sainte Colombe (FR) - is interesting by diverse reasons. In the first place, there are at least four saints of name Coloma: Saint Columba of Sens (3th Century, Aurelian), Saint Columba of Rome (3th Century, Diocletian), Saint Columba of Cornwall (Saint Columba, 6th Century) and Saint Columba of Cordoba (9th Century).

Saint Columba of Cornwall should not be confused with Saint Columba, the Saint Patron of Ireland and Scotland (Columba), disciple of Saint Patrick and protagonist in the manuscript Vita Columbae, a document of the 7th Century.

  • Saint Columba of Sens (3th Century) . According to the legend, Saint Columba of Sens was condemned to die in the fire in the days of the emperor Aurelian (270 - 275), but as she escape the flames with the help of a bear, soon she was beheaded in a near forest. Where her blood fell grew a water stream. Her relics apparently were moved from Sens to Rimini, Italy. It is not clear were they are at present. They might be still in Rimini or in Buenos Aires (see below).
  • Santa Columba of Rome (3th Century). [16] Columba was born in Rome during the 3th Century, at times of Diocletian, [17] Roman emperor preceded by Probo and before by Aurelian; the last one was who martyred Santa Columba de Sens. The legend stays that her name was given by her parents “because of her face of angel seemed to reflect all the candor and the simplicity of the dove”. Columba had a little more than twelve years when Diocletian ordered the persecutions against the Chirstians, on February 24th of 303. Among the first imprisoned were Columba and her parents. Since Columba continued defending her beliefs, she was put under terrible torments and finally died pardoning her capturers, before the astonishment of their executioners. The Christians gathered their relics that were deposited in a niche of the called catacombs “of San Calixto”, covering them with a marble with the legend Columba puella… . Her rest remained there until the first years of the 19th Century, when there were found by the famous archaeologist priest Boldetti, custodian of the Roman catacombs. He sent the relics to the sanctuary that in Anagni, Italy, has the Order of the Cister. In the year 1911 monsignor Figueroa, bishop of Buenos Aires, obtained from the bishop of Anagi (IT), monsignor Antonio Sardi, the donation of the relics with the intention of transforming the Church of San José de Flores (ES) into Basilica [18]. It is noteworthy but not a surprise, that Saint Columba was under the custody of the cistercienses nuns, since the Templars had a special devotion to Sancta Columba. The Order of the Templars was based on the rule of the Cistercian Order (Cistercians). The Templars even adopted the white habit of the Cistercians, to which the Red Cross characteristic of the Templars was added later. Thus, it may be possible that the relics of Sancta Columba of Rome actually correspond to the relics of Sancta Columba de Sens, sent by the Templars to the Roman catacombs for her protection after the dissolution of the Order, under the custody of the Cistercian sisters, and later found in the catacombs by Boldetti. This is only a speculation, and more data are needed to confirm or dismiss this hypothesis.
  • Saint Columba of Cornwall) (6th Century). The legend of Saint Columba is documented in a manuscript conserved in the library of Cambridge, England, written by Rosecarrack during the reign of Elizabeth I of England, who affirmed to have taken the legend from local information. Legend says that Columba was the daughter of a pagan Irish king; She escape of the marriage with a pagan prince embarking in Cornwall towards Trevelgue Head. She was soon followed by the prince, through forest that is now Porth Beach, then through Rialton and Treloy, until she was finally captured in Ruthvoes, two miles to the south of St. Columb Major. There the prince behave her and where the blood fell a stream arose, originating a river yet without name, that ends at the port of St. Columb, following the way that Columba made.
  • Saint Columba of Cordoba (9th Century). The legend stays that Saint Columba of Cordoba died martyr in the year 853, into the hands of a prince Moor, who thrown her to the Guadalquivir river, mutilated; but then she was found intact.

A controversy exists on the origin of Santa Columba (town, image and Church) of Nájera (ES) and of Albendiego (ES) 7. The official version is that Santa Columba, in Santa Coloma near Nájera, Albendiego and also in Arceniega, corresponds to Santa Columba, virgin and martyr of Cordoba (853), whose rest for unknown reasons are in Nájera and not in Cordoba. However, there are data suggesting that in the villa of Santa Coloma, near Nájera, an old monastery of Santa Columba de Sens was founded by French monks during the invasions of the Barbarians. So that the oldest devotion actually corresponds to Santa Columba de Sens, martyr of the time of Aurelian (3th Century). In summary, apparently the devotion to Sancta Columba (and therefore the towns and the last name) was extended from the town of Sens, in the France of 3th Century, towards Catalonia (Santa Coloma de Farners first and Santa Coloma de Cervelló later), The Rioja (Spain) ( Sancta Columba of Cordoba) and Basque Country (Arceniega), through Way of Santiago, being confused later with the devotion to Sancta Columba of Cordoba, when this devotion was more popular. It has been suggested that for this reason of greater popularity, the Church decided to replace Sancta Columba of Sens by Sancta Columba of Cordoba. For unknown reasons, apparently the rest of Sancta Columba did not remain in Sens and were sent to Rimini, Italy, to the Cathedral of Sancta Columba (Santa Colomba in (IT)). It is possible that the fall of the Templar Knights was the reason.16 The relics were taken (only some of them) by Obispo Castelli, of Rimini, that traveled to Sens with that aim in second half of the 16th Century. Later, they realized that the fragments of the relics brought from France perfectly complemented the fragments of the old relics of Sancta Columba, already existing in Rimini, that according to the legend arrived by boat (although it is not known from where). Without a doubt, more research and data are needed to have a clear picture of what really happened to this relics. Finally and most intriguing: Which is the relation between Saint Columba (Virgin) of Cornwall, England, Saint Columba of Sens and wikipedia:Saint Columba of Cordoba? Is there any relation with Saint Colomban, the disciple of Saint Patrick? Has Saint Columba of Cornwall perhaps an origin similar to the one of Saint Bridget, who in fact was Brigit, the Celta goddess of the fire, the poetry, and the Earth? [3]. On the other hand, it is noteworthy the similarity of legends of Saint Columba of Cornwall, Saint Columba of Sens and Saint Columba of Cordoba with the legend of the Greek goddess Aretusa. Was perhaps Santa/Sancta Columba in fact the Aretusa of the Greeks, transformed to the Christianity, as it were Brigit by Saint Patrick? Is there any relationship between Saint Columba and the Order of Temple in England, Scotland and Ireland? Many more questions remain and some additional histories can be found in the section Anecdotes), regarding Saint Colomban and Nessie and Saint Columba and King Arthur.

[edit] Chapel of Sancta Columba in Santa Coloma (Arceniega, Spain)

The church of Santa Columba (Arceniega) is conserved intact, but little information could be obtained on the part of the present inhabitants of Santa Coloma (they live in two houses near the Chapel). During a visit of a descendant of one Argentine branch of Santa Coloma family to Arceniega, one of them, Alberto (lamentably it was not registered his paternal last name, but the maternal was Santa Coloma), confessed that her mother was Santa Coloma, but affirming that he was not relative of anybody (although the shield of the Salazar in the front of his house reveal the contrary); probably he was afraid of some inheritance claim. Nevertheless, at the end of the third encounter it invited his visitor, very amiably, to return in the summer, “when the landscape was worthy to see it” and a pleasing memory of Alberto remain. The first baptismal registries of this church date from 1600 and therefore, the origin of all Santa Coloma’s from Arceniega are well documented until that date. However, there are eight centuries of history missing from the 1600's to Clavijo, in the year 844. The books of Santa Columba, at the Archives of the Diocese of Vitoria, begin in the first years of 1600. Among many members of the Santa Coloma surname registered, it was possible to find Gaspar de Santa Coloma y Sollano and Tomás de Santa Coloma y Loyzaga, the founder of the most important branches of the Santa Colomas’s in Argentina. Apparently the Chapel of Santa Columba might have previous registries, when belonged to others dioceses from the [11th Century]] to the year 1755 when it was moved from the Diocese of Santander to the Diocese of Vitoria, as a result of the construction of the new plant in 1787. The construction of this new plant was financed by Gaspar of Santa Coloma from Buenos Aires, Argentina, by means of his uncle Manuel de Santa Coloma, from Madrid, Spain, before the May Revolution of 1810. Soon all the archives will be digitized and could be accessed.[19]. Sooner or later all other books will be digitized and perhaps it would be possible to investigated beyond the year 1600. In Burgos there are some registries of Santa Coloma, although it is not clear to what church of Santa Coloma they belong.

To go beyond the 1600´s is difficult, since the those old registries did not specify the grandparents, as it happens in the most recent registries, and the names were often repeated, by tradition. In addition, there are many marriages between cousins, to add confusion to the records. However, some data at least related to a possible Biscayne or Catalan origin could be found. Beyond the true origin, 500 years of history in Arceniega should be more than enough to consider that the last name Santa Coloma of Argentina is of Basque origin.

[edit] Santa Coloma (towns and cities)

Numerous towns and cities with the name of Santa Coloma or her derivatives exist. The town of Santa Coloma in Arceniega had 24 neighbors in 1748 and 126 in 1786, all hidalgos [15]. Nevertheless, with the course of the time, the industrialization and the apogee of the great cities, the population decayed gradually until practically disappearing. Today they are left only two or three families of shepherds in that place. Little is known regarding the history of Santa Coloma de Queralt, Santa Coloma of Gramanet (ES), Santa Coloma of Farners (ES),Santa Coloma de Queralt (ES), and Santa Coloma of Cervello (ES) in Catalonia. And there is little information on the history of Santa Coloma of Nájera and the numerous towns Sainte Colombe or Saint-Coulomb in France. We hope to have more information in the near future.

[edit] Sainte Colombe in France

Sieur de Sainte Colombe. Oil from the painter and music Horacio Bollini
Sieur de Sainte Colombe. Oil from the painter and music Horacio Bollini

It is not known yet if the Santa Coloma from Spain and the Sainte Colombe from France have a common origin. As it was mentioned before, it is likely that the last name was originated in France (or England) as "de Sancta Columba", changed later to Sainte Colombe in France and Santa Coloma in Spain, as occurred in Sicily, where "de Santa Coloma" was transformed in just one generation to "di Santa Colomba", and in USA, where Santa Colomba was transformed in Columbus in the second generation, to adapt the last name to the local languages.

Personages

  1. One of the most notorious personages with the surname "de Sainte Colombe" is without a doubt the musician Jean de Sainte Colombe [20].
  2. François-Benoît de Sainte Colombe (1718-1784), Marquis de l'Aubespine, married to Renée-Henriette de La Guiche[21], doghter of Philibert de La Guiche, Count of Sivignon (FR), in 1656.
  3. Comte Rodolphe de Sainte Colombe et du Poyet, Marquis de L'aubespin.
  4. Comte Louis Gabriel de Sainte Colombe, Marquis de L'aubespin.
  5. Jacques de Sainte-Colombe, Seigneur de Thil.
  6. François de Roux de Sainte Colombe.
  7. Julienne de Sainte-Colombe, with the donation of the Saint-Léger Temple.
  8. Joseph de Sainte Colombe (1653-1706).
  9. The family Montesquieu de Sainte Colombe (16th Century).
  10. Claire de Sainte Colombe, married to Bernard de Beaufort in 1495.
  11. Gaston d'Hautpoul, seigneur de Félines, Cassagnoles et Ventajou, maried to Jeanne de Sainte-Colombe on February 3th 1443. Testament on September 30th 1462.
  12. Some members of the Sainte Colombe were Knight of the Order of Malta.
  13. Some Sainte Colombe were executed during the French Revolution "Le 6 janvier 1794 Jean-Louis-Eleonore de Sainte Colombe de Ronchevol, chevalier, comte de Sainte Colombe, seigneur du Poyet, né en 1733, est emprisonné et condamné à mort par les révolutionnaires de la Terreur"[22].

[edit] Santa Coloma in Catalonia

We can mention,

  1. "Francesc de Santa Coloma", lieutenant of Roger de Moncada, this one last Governor-general of Sardinia from 1398 to 1401. Francesc is buried in the Cathedral of Barcelona.
  2. The Marquess "Gaspar de Santa Coloma", who gave origin to the last name "Santa Colomba" in Sicily (Gaspare di Santa Colomba, Lucio di Santa Colomba).
  3. Guillem de Santa Coloma (Guillem de Sancta Columba) was the son of the Count of Santa Coloma. One son of the Count de Santa Coloma used the surname Queralt and another, named Guillem, used the surname "de Santa Coloma". This was by the year 1183: "...4 de desembre de 1183, on el rei Alfons rep l'homenatge de Guillem de Santa Coloma" [4]. So, at least a branch of the Santa Coloma family belongs to the house of Queralt. Now the dates are closed to the references in the Hereford Cathedral, which are also dated in the XII Century.
  4. Bernardo de Santa Coloma. In the year of 1310, in the Testament of the Obispo de Gerona Guillelmi á Cabanellis, a “Bernardi de Sancta Columba” is mentioned:
“...Item volumus & mandamus quod praedicti Sacerdotes intersint assidue horis canonicis nocturnis pariter & diurnis in majori ecclesia nisiin solemnitatibus B. Mariae & aliis majoribus solemnitatibus in quibus post Te Deum laudamus dictum in ecclesia majori vadant ad supradictam Capellam celebraturi matutinas & post celebrationem Vesperarum dictarum solemnitatum vadant similliter ad dictam Capellam Vesperas celebrate & quod etiam celebrent missam in preadicta Capella quilibet in sua hebdomada pro anima nostra & Bernardi de Sancta Columba fratris nostri & parentum nostrorum & omnium fidelium defunctorum...” [23]
This document in latin shows that actually the last name “de Sancta Columba” is the latin form of “de Santa Coloma”. In addition, that Bernardo de Santa Coloma (Bernardi de Sancta Columba) was leaving in Cataluña in the year of 1310.
Based in this document, it is suggested that the surname "de Sancta Columba" it is just the latin translation of the last name "de Santa Coloma". Therefore, the most likely place of origin is again Catalonia.

The possible connection between Guillem de Santa Coloma, Francesc de Santa Coloma and the Marquess Gaspar de Santa Coloma is unknown yet. It is so with the Basque branch of this family and surname. However, it should be noted again, that the Coat of Arms of Gaspar de Santa Coloma (Basque, from Arceniega, moved to Río de la Plata in 1768) had the same arms that the coat of arms of the Marquess Gaspar de Santa Coloma in Sicily, suggesting a common origin with the Catalan families.

Arms of the Knight at the Alhambra, similar to the arms of the Colomina and Santa Coloma families
Arms of the Knight at the Alhambra, similar to the arms of the Colomina and Santa Coloma families


The Count of Santa Coloma had an important role recovering Sicily from Charles of Anjou. This was recently documented in a historical novel by the Spanish writer Manuel Espadafor Caba [24].

In the Alhambra, a knight with these arms is present in Ceiling Frescoes of the Kings Chamber, near the famous Fountain of Lions.

These paints, attributed to an Italian origin, and the Fountain of the Lions, provided the author with the inspiration for the novel. The coat of Arms shown in the figure was provided by Espadafor Caba, as shown in a painting at the Alhambra (only the red shield with the three pigeons are shown in the Fresco), dated in the 14th Century. It is similar to the arms of the Santa Coloma family and the Colomina family, except because the pigeons are oriented towards