A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Abreo family of Portugal.
Reg. 9130 · Portuguese, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à cinq demi-vols d'or, 2, 1 et 2. C.: un vol d'or.”
Portugalc. 1706
Where the Abreo Arms Were Recorded
Lisboa
Map of Portugal showing where the Abreo arms are recorded
The Abreo 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 Abreo 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 Abreo Family in Portugal
The family name Abreo carries a deep connection to the vibrant urban landscape of Lisbon during the early eighteenth century. By 1706, members of the Abreo family were firmly established within the capital city, living during a time when Lisbon served as a bustling hub for global trade and cultural exchange. This era was defined by the wealth flowing into Portugal from overseas territories, which allowed families in the city to participate in the growth of the administrative and merchant classes. Living in Lisbon at this time meant that the Abreo family was part of a society undergoing significant social change and modernization. Their presence in the city records suggests they were integrated into the local community, likely contributing to the daily life and economic activities that defined the Portuguese capital before the great earthquake of 1755 transformed the city forever.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aper
Latin term for a wild boar.
This name
AbreoDerived from a topographic or habitational reference to a place frequented by wild boars.
also spelled
Abreo
Abrayo
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
Lisboa, João da Silva, A História da Cidade de Lisboa, 1922
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
