Map of England showing where the Alvear arms are recorded
The Alvear arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Alvear arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Alvear Family in England
The family name Alvear traces its roots to the northern regions of Spain, specifically within the mountainous landscapes of Cantabria and the Basque Country. The name is topographic in origin, derived from the Spanish words "al" and "vear," which together describe someone who lived near a specific type of pasture or valley land. While the name is deeply tied to Spanish history, members of the family were documented as being present in York, England, by 1620. This suggests that early ancestors were part of the complex migration patterns of the seventeenth century, moving across borders for trade, religious reasons, or political opportunities. By settling in a major northern English city, these early family members integrated into a new culture while maintaining the linguistic heritage of their Iberian origins. This transition highlights the adaptability of the family as they moved from the rural valleys of Spain to the bustling urban environment of early modern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Alver
Derived from the Old English name Aelfhere meaning elf army.
This name
AlvearA topographic name for someone who lived near a river or a valley.
also spelled
Alvard
Alverd
Alvord
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
García Carraffa, Alberto and Arturo, El solar vasco-navarro, 1947
Mogrobejo, Endika de, Diccionario hispano de apellidos y blasones, 1995
The National Archives, UK, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
lionCourage, strength and royalty
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
lionCourage, strength and royalty
