Colin Family Tree research resources
Delve into the history of the Colin Family History using the resources below. We hope you find these sites useful whilst you are researching your Family Tree !
![]() | Did you know that in the 1881 UK census there were 136 people with the Colin surname? In that year Colin was ranked number 3443 for popularity in the UK. |
Colin records on Ancestry
Ancestry is a major source of information if you are filling out your Colin family tree. A vast range of data is available to search ranging from census records, births, deaths and marriages, military records and immigration records to name but a few. Free trials are normally available and are a good way to fill out a lot of your tree quickly.
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Ancestry.com Global records search results for the Colin family. |
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Ancestry.com US records search results for the Colin family. |
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Ancestry.co.uk UK records search results for the Colin family. |
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Ancestry.ca Canadian records search results for the Colin family. |
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Ancestry.com.au Australian records search results for the Colin family. |
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Historical References
"COLIN. Gaelic CaOean, Middle Gaelic CaUane (Dean of Lismore), Cailin (1467 MS.), Colinus (Latin, 1292). This is a personal name more or less peculiar to the Campbells, the chief being always in Gaelic MacCailein. The name has no connection with English and continental Colin (from Nicholas), and it appears, as Dr. Macbain pointed out, to be derived from a dialect form of Cailean prevalent in Menteith and Perthshire in the thirteenth century. 'It is hence the Campbells brought it.' Colanus Mcgilcungill witnessed a charter by Ferkar, earl of Ross, c. 1224-31 (REM., p. 334), and Colyn, ostiarius, witnessed a charter by Alan Ostiarius, earl of Atholl, 1232-33 (RAA., i, p. 91). Colin filius Gilglas (Gilleglas or Gylleglasse) witnessed Atholl charters between 1284-90 (LIM., xxxvi; REM., p. 466-467; Athole, p. 705). Colin de Londenner was a charter witness in 1261 (REA., n, p. 275), and Kolinus filius Anegus, sutor, did homage to the prior and convent of St. Andrews at Dull in Atholl, 1264 (RPSA., p. 349). Cf. CULEN. Collen 1646. (2) A double diminutive of Nicholas. "(The surnames of Scotland. George Fraser Black, 1866-1948)
DNA
Sometimes you can run into a brick wall in your tree and you just don't have enough evidence to make that next step back in time. If you are lucky then you may find some previously undiscovered Colin ancestors. Additionally, the modern DNA test can give you a breakdown of your ethnic mix - you may be surprised at the results!
Have you reached a brick wall in your Colin Tree?
Visit our Colin DNA page to find out more.
Birth, Death and Marriage Records for the Colin Genealogy
Birth, Death and Marriage records are often the best method of making the links to the Colin Genealogy that will form part of your family tree. Although records vary from country to country, they are normally the most formal record of a person's relations. From the sources below you will be able to find a birth record and, from that, a birth certificate can be ordered which lists the names of the mother and father, taking you back another generation in your tree. A marriage certificate may also list the names of the respective fathers of the bride and groom which may then help you to find them earlier in life on a census record enabling you to fill out more detail in the Colin family tree.
Study Colin Parish Records at Find My Past.
Check out the UK registered births, marriages and deaths for the Colin family name using the FreeBMD database.
Look at Genealogy Bank for Colin family records.
Check out MyHeritage for Colin family data.
Look at the LDS Database for records of the Colin family.
Research the Colin surname using fold3 Military Archives and view images of original Colin Military records.
![]() | Did you know that there are currently 303 people with the Colin surname in the UK? Colin is now ranked number 3757 for popularity in the UK. |
Colin Family Tree Databases
Investigate WikiTree for user contributed Colin family records. Collaboration is encouraged so that accuracy of Colin data can be verified or corrected by other users.
Check out MyTrees for information on the Colin family and people looking to contact living Colin relations.
Study GENi for Colin family records.
Find your Irish Colin relatives on findmypast.ie
Colin Forums
Research the Colin surname using Genealogy.com forums .
![]() | Did you know that there are currently 3038 people with the Colin surname in the USA? Colin is ranked number 156 for popularity in the USA. |
Miscellaneous Colin Databases
Look at the Ellis Island Database for information on the Colin family. This database contains over 25 million immigration records detailing passengers arriving in the United States of America.
Use the Surname Map project to look at the current distribution of the Colin surname in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Romania.





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