My mother named me from an old book of Irish names. Since then the Irish meaning of Colby has been lost or secured.  Most modern day meaning claim heritage to England and America.  From what I understand in the time of clan days in Ireland and Scotland, clans ran by families and were significant of colors and coats of arms.  The original meaning of the name Colby was of a Black clan Prince by the name of Colby.  It appears the black clan was feared among others based on the colors they flew and the battles which they had won in building their family clan empire.

Moving forward in history clans turned to Coat of Arms where the family would open up to building of the culture to others and welcoming them into their line of ancestors.  Each father figure was given a family Coat of Arms to carry on to each child and to the next.  I am lucky enough to have retained a Coat of Arms obtained from my grandfather who held the last name of Butler.

Of these reasons, I hold the Irish side of my family close to me.  I remember what my mother told me about my name.  This furthers my want and research into my grandfathers side of our family.