Columbine Family History

Perhaps from the rare Middle English female personal name Columbin(e) (latinized as Columbina), derived from Old French Middle English columbine ‘dove-like’. It is attested in Columbina, wife of Osebert le Noreis, who was owed services from Johannes de Abbetot in Saint Briavels (Gloucs) 1230 in Close Rolls.

Perhaps a variant of Collumbell, altered by folk etymology through association with the plant name columbine (Middle English columbine, colabyn, early Modern English cullombine). Compare the Derbys, Notts, and Staffs examples of both names.

French Colombin from Old French colombin ‘dove-like’, which may also have been used as a personal name; compare (1 i). French Colombin from the Old French personal name Colomban (altered to Colombin) from Latin Colombanus, a derivative of colombus ‘dove’.