A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alzate family of Spain.
Reg. 2939 · 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
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
wolfReward from long service and hard work
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Parti: au 1 d'or au chène de sin., englanté du champ, senestré d'un loup de sa., ramp. contre le fût, le tout soutenu d'une terrasse du sec.; au 2 d'azur à la bande d'or, engoulée de deux têtes de dragon du même. L'écu entouré d'une bord. échiq. d'arg. et de gu.”
SpainBiscaye, c. 1722
Where the Alzate Arms Were Recorded
Biscaye
Map of Spain showing where the Alzate arms are recorded
The Alzate 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 Alzate 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 Alzate Family in Spain
The surname Alzate originates from the Basque Country, a region known for its unique language and deep historical roots in northern Spain. The name itself is derived from the Basque words "altza," meaning alder tree, and the suffix "ate," which often refers to a mountain pass or a narrow gap. This suggests that the earliest families bearing this name likely lived near a prominent grove of alder trees located at the entrance of a valley or a mountain trail. By 1722, records confirm that the Alzate family was well-established in the province of Biscay. During this era, families in the region were often deeply tied to the land and the local community, maintaining strong traditions that defined their social standing. As the family grew, members eventually migrated to other parts of the Spanish Empire, carrying their ancestral name and identity across the Atlantic to new territories.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Altza
Basque word referring to the alder tree.
This name
AlzateA topographic surname denoting someone who lived near a grove of alder trees.
also spelled
Alzaty
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Mikeldi de Altube, Diccionario etimológico de apellidos vascos, 1968
Koldo Mitxelena, Apellidos vascos, 1955
Archivo Histórico de la Nobleza, Sección de Hidalguías
Archivo Foral de Bizkaia, Fondo de la Casa de Juntas de Guernica
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
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
wolfReward from long service and hard work
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
wolfReward from long service and hard work
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
