A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Abrante family of Portugal.
Reg. 8137 · Portuguese, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
ravenConstancy and divine providence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à quatre fleurs-de-lis, entremêlées d'autant de corbeaux, et une étoile en abîme, le tout d'or.”
Portugalc. 1706
Where the Abrante Arms Were Recorded
Lisboa
Map of Portugal showing where the Abrante arms are recorded
The Abrante arms were recorded in Portugal, c. 1706.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Lisboa.
Lisbon was the seat of the Portuguese crown and the port its wealth came through. Families made rich by trade and by service to the king took arms, and the crown's heralds recorded them there.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Portugal in this period.
Peter II of Portugal
Sovereign of the period
Peter II of Portugal
1683–1706
Reigning in Portugal when the Abrante arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Portugal
In Portugal, a coat of arms was a family possession that passed from a father to his children. Every legitimate descendant had the right to use the family shield without needing to change it. Younger branches of the family kept the original design, though they sometimes added small symbols to distinguish their specific line from the main branch.
Granting authority
The Cartório da Nobreza acted as the official body that managed and regulated noble titles and coats of arms in Portugal.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms through bloodline, though they could also receive new grants from the crown for distinguished service.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the books of the Cartório da Nobreza starting in the year 1512.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Portugal.
Origin & History of the Abrante Family in Portugal
The family name Abrante carries a rich history rooted in the vibrant culture of Portugal. By the year 1706, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of Lisboa. During this period, the city served as a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, placing the family at the heart of a rapidly changing society. The name itself is often associated with the town of Abrantes, which sits along the Tagus River. It was common practice for families during this era to adopt surnames based on their geographic origins or the places where they held influence. As the family became integrated into the urban life of the capital, they likely participated in the professional and social developments that defined eighteenth-century Portugal. Their presence in Lisboa suggests they were part of the growing middle or merchant classes who helped shape the city’s identity during a time of significant national transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Abrantes
Derived from the Latin word aperire meaning to open or reveal.
This name
AbranteRefers to a geographical location in Portugal known as the gateway to the Tagus River.
also spelled
Abrante
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo, Registos Paroquiais de Lisboa (1706)
Freire, Anselmo Braamcamp, Brasões da Sala de Sintra (1921)
Machado, José Pedro, Dicionário Onomástico Etimológico da Língua Portuguesa (1981)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
ravenConstancy and divine providence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
ravenConstancy and divine providence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
