A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alcala family of Spain.
Reg. 5195 · Spanish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
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'arg. au lévrier au nat., courant sur une terrasse isolée de sin.”
AragonAragon, c. 1722
Where the Alcala Arms Were Recorded
Aragon
Map of Spain showing where the Alcala arms are recorded
The Alcala arms were recorded in Aragon, c. 1722.
Aragon was mountain and river country in north-eastern Spain, with a strong tradition of small independent landholders. A great many families counted as gentry there, and each one needed a shield to be told apart.
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 Alcala 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 Aragon.
Origin & History of the Alcala Family in Spain
The surname Alcala is a topographic name derived from the Arabic word al-qal‘a, which translates to the fortress or the castle. This name was historically given to families who lived near or worked within a fortified settlement. By the early 18th century, members of the Alcala family were well-established in the region of Aragon, Spain. During this period, Aragon was a land defined by its rugged landscape and deep agricultural traditions. Families living there often held strong ties to their local communities and the land they cultivated. Because the name identifies a specific type of location, it suggests that early ancestors were likely protectors or residents of strategic defensive sites that were common across the Iberian Peninsula. These early records from 1722 confirm that the family was deeply rooted in the social and administrative life of the Aragonese territory during the Bourbon era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
al-qal'a
Arabic term referring to a fortress, castle, or citadel.
This name
AlcalaRefers to someone who lived near or originated from a fortified place or castle.
also spelled
Alcalah
Alcalas
Alcalae
Alkala
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Faure, Roberto, Diccionario de apellidos españoles, 2001
Moll, Francesc de Borja, Els llinatges catalans, 1959
Archivo de la Corona de Aragón, Archivo General de Protocolos de Zaragoza
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
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
