Map of Spain showing where the Alfaro arms are recorded
The Alfaro 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 Alfaro 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 Alfaro Family in Spain
Pronunciational-FAH-roh/alˈfaɾo/
The family name Alfaro originates from the town of the same name located in the La Rioja region of Spain. The name itself is derived from the Arabic term al-farr, which refers to a watchtower or a fortified place. During the medieval period, the town served as a strategic point along the Ebro River, and families who lived there began using the town name to identify themselves as they moved to other parts of the country. By the early 18th century, members of the family had established a presence in the northern province of Biscay. This migration was common during this era as families sought new economic opportunities in the growing industrial and maritime centers of the Basque Country. These early settlers were often involved in local administration and trade, which helped the family name spread throughout the northern regions of Spain while maintaining a connection to their ancestral roots in La Rioja.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Parti: au 1 de sin. à trois pals d'or; au 2 d'azur à un croiss. d'arg.”
Portugalc. 1706
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Map of Portugal showing where the Alfaro arms are recorded
The Alfaro 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 Spain when the Alfaro 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 Alfaro Family in Portugal
Pronunciational-FAH-roh/alˈfaɾo/
The family name Alfaro carries a deep history that connects the Iberian Peninsula through shared cultural and linguistic roots. While the name is often associated with Spanish origins, records confirm that members of the Alfaro family were well-established in the city of Lisboa by 1706. During this period, the family lived in a bustling capital city that served as a global hub for trade and maritime exploration. Families like the Alfaros often integrated into the social and economic fabric of the city by participating in the local merchant guilds or serving in administrative roles within the royal bureaucracy. Their presence in Lisboa during the early eighteenth century suggests that they were part of a mobile population that moved between major urban centers to seek new opportunities. By settling in the heart of Portugal, these early family members helped shape the local community and contributed to the vibrant history of the city during a time of significant transition.
Alfaro Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
al-faro
Arabic for the lighthouse or the beacon
This name
AlfaroRefers to a person who lived near a lighthouse or a prominent watchtower.
also spelled
Alfarro
Alfaroh
Alfarou
Related arms
Amoros de Sotelorecorded with Alfaro, same area
Andouinsrecorded with Alfaro, same area
Ibarrartrecorded with Alfaro, same area
Ochoarecorded with Alfaro, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Mikel Belasko, Diccionario etimológico de los nombres de los pueblos, villas y ciudades de Navarra, 1999
Archivo Histórico de Euskadi, Sección de Protocolos Notariales de Bizkaia, 1722
Alberto García Carraffa, El solar vasco, navarro y montañés, 1947
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
