A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Arbelaez family of Spain.
Reg. 4214 · Spanish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
wolfReward from long service and hard work
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 la tour sommée d'une tourelle d'arg., surm. d'une mâcle d'or; le tout acc. dans chacun des cantons du chef d'une aigle de sa. et dans chacun des cantons de la p. d'un loup pass. de sa.; ladite tour iss. d'une mer d'azur agitée d'arg.”
SpainGuipuzcoa, c. 1722
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Map of Spain showing where the Arbelaez arms are recorded
The Arbelaez arms were recorded in Guipuzcoa, 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 Arbelaez 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 Arbelaez Family in Spain
The family name Arbelaez originates from the Basque region of northern Spain, specifically within the province of Guipuzcoa. Linguistic experts believe the name is derived from the Basque words "arbel," meaning slate or shale, and the suffix "ez," which often denotes a place or a collection of things. This suggests that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a rocky area or a slate quarry. By 1722, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established members of the local community in Guipuzcoa. During this period, the family was deeply integrated into the social and agricultural life of the Basque Country. As the centuries progressed, members of the family migrated from these northern mountain regions to other parts of the Spanish Empire, eventually establishing a significant presence in South America, particularly in Colombia.
Arbelaez Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Arbel
Basque term referring to slate or a rocky, stony place.
This name
ArbelaezDerived from the Basque words for a place characterized by slate or stone.
also spelled
Arbelais
Arbelayz
Arbelaisz
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Gorrochategui Churruca, Joaquín. Onomástica indígena de Aquitania. 1984
Michelena, Luis. Apellidos vascos. 1953
Archivo General de Guipúzcoa. Sección de Protocolos. 1722
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
wolfReward from long service and hard work
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
wolfReward from long service and hard work
