A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Amescua family of Spain.
Reg. 6206 · Spanish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“De gu. à cinq tours d'arg. 2, 1 et 2, sommées chacune d'une tourelle du même; à la bord. d'arg., ch. de huit chaudières de sa.”
AragonAragon, c. 1722
Where the Amescua Arms Were Recorded
Aragon
Map of Spain showing where the Amescua arms are recorded
The Amescua 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 Amescua 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 Amescua Family in Spain
The family name Amescua originates from the northern regions of Spain, specifically within the Basque Country and the neighboring areas of Navarre. The name is derived from the Basque language, likely combining words that describe a geographical feature such as a valley or a mountain pass. By the early 18th century, members of the family had migrated southward into the Kingdom of Aragon. Records from 1722 confirm that the family was well-established in this region, where they integrated into the local social and economic life. During this period, families like the Amescuas often moved to follow agricultural opportunities or administrative positions within the Spanish crown. Their presence in Aragon highlights the broader patterns of internal migration that shaped the demographics of the Iberian Peninsula during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Amezkoa
Basque term referring to a high mountain valley or pass.
This name
AmescuaDerived from a topographic location in Navarre, signifying one who lives near a mountain pass.
also spelled
Ameskwa
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 de la Corona de Aragón, Real Audiencia de Aragón, Serie de Procesos Civiles, 1722
Endika de Mogrobejo, Diccionario hispano de apellidos y blasones, 1995
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
