A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Aka family of Spain.
Reg. 7618 · Spanish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
axeThe execution of military duty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 l'arbre de sin., terrassé du même, senestré de trois haches d'arg., 2 et 1. — Armes mod.: Ec.: au 1 de gu. à trois haches d'arg., 2 et 1; au 2 d'or à trois panelles de gu., les tiges en haut; au 3 d'or à l'arbre de sin., terrassé du même, et un dextrochère d'arg., mouv. de la terrasse, br. sur le fût de l'arbre et tenant une épée d'arg.; au 4 d'azur à trois bandes d'arg.”
SpainBiscaye, c. 1722
Where the Aka Arms Were Recorded
Biscaye
Map of Spain showing where the Aka arms are recorded
The Aka arms were recorded in Biscaye, c. 1722.
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 Spain in this period.
Philip V of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Philip V of Spain
1714–1724
Reigning in Spain when the Aka arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Spain
In Spain, a coat of arms was considered a form of property that belonged to the entire family line. These arms were passed down from a father to all his children equally. Younger branches of the family usually kept the original design without needing to add any special marks to distinguish their specific line.
Granting authority
The Cronista Rey de Armas was the official body that regulated and granted coats of arms throughout Spain.
How they got arms
Families often obtained their arms through royal grants or by proving their noble status to the official heraldic authority.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the registers of the Cronista Rey de Armas starting in 1496.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Spain.
Origin & History of the Aka Family in Spain
The history of the Aka family name is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Biscay, a province in the Basque Country of northern Spain. Records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this region by 1722, living among communities that prioritized strong local traditions and maritime connections. The name itself reflects the unique linguistic heritage of the Basque people, who have maintained a distinct culture and language for centuries. Families in this area often lived in stone farmhouses known as baserriak, which served as the center of both family life and agricultural production. By the early 18th century, the Aka family was part of a society that valued ancestral land ownership and close-knit community ties. Their presence in Biscay during this time suggests they were deeply integrated into the social and economic fabric of the region, participating in the local customs that defined life along the Bay of Biscay.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aka
Derived from the Basque word meaning red or reddish in color.
This name
AkaA topographic or descriptive surname likely referring to a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
also spelled
Aka
Asha
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivo Histórico Eclesiástico de Bizkaia, Libros Sacramentales de la Anteiglesia de San Vicente de Abando, 1722
Caro Baroja, Julio, Los Vascos, 1971
Douglass, William A., Basque Sheepherders of the American West: A Photographic History, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
axeThe execution of military duty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
axeThe execution of military duty
