A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alba family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0169 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
foxWit and wisdom in defence
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'azur à la bande d'or, acc. en chef d'un renard d'arg. moucheté de sa.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1662
Where the Alba Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Alba arms are recorded
The Alba arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1662.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Alba arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Alba Family in France
The history of the Alba family in France is deeply tied to the shifting borders and complex social landscape of the Lorraine region during the seventeenth century. By 1662, records confirm that members of the family were established residents in this territory, which served as a critical crossroads between the French Kingdom and the Holy Roman Empire. During this era, families in Lorraine often navigated a unique cultural identity shaped by frequent military conflicts and the transition of the region toward French administrative control. The presence of the Alba name in local documents suggests that these early ancestors were likely integrated into the rural or merchant classes that sustained the economy of the duchy. As the region became more closely linked to the French crown, the family likely adapted to new legal frameworks and tax structures that defined life in the eastern provinces. Their continued presence in the area reflects the resilience of families who maintained their roots despite the political instability that frequently defined life in Lorraine during the late 1600s.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
wolfReward from long service and hard work
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un arbre de sin., et un loup pass. de sa., br. sur le fût; le tout soutenu d'une terrasse isolée de sin.”
SpainBiscaye, c. 1722
Where the Alba Arms Were Recorded
Biscaye
Map of Spain showing where the Alba arms are recorded
The Alba 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 France when the Alba 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 Alba Family in Spain
The family name Alba holds deep roots in the northern regions of Spain, where it is tied to the rugged landscape of the Basque Country. By the early eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the province of Biscay. The name itself is derived from the Latin word for white, which often served as a descriptive nickname for individuals who lived near bright, chalky terrain or perhaps those with a notably fair complexion. During this era, families in Biscay were often deeply connected to their local parishes, where they maintained small landholdings and participated in the tight-knit social structures of the northern mountains. As the family grew, they became part of the regional history that defined the Basque identity, characterized by a strong sense of local autonomy and a dedication to their ancestral lands. These early generations helped shape the presence of the name in the region long before it spread to other parts of the Spanish-speaking world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
albus
A Latin adjective meaning white or bright.
This name
AlbaRefers to a person who lived near a white hill or had a fair complexion.
also spelled
Albah
Albae
Related arms
Alzubidesimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Cabourdin, Guy, Terres et hommes en Lorraine 1648-1789, 1977
Lepage, Henri, Les archives de Lorraine, 1860
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
foxWit and wisdom in defence
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
foxWit and wisdom in defence
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
wolfReward from long service and hard work
