Map of Spain showing where the Arca arms are recorded
The Arca arms were recorded in Spain, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Castile.
Castile was the heart of Spain and the source of most of its noble families. Land won in the long wars against the Moors was granted out to fighting men, and a man granted land was granted arms along with it.
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 Arca 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 Arca Family in Spain
The surname Arca is a topographic name that originated in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically within the regions of northern Spain. In the Spanish language, the word "arca" refers to a chest, a coffer, or a hollow space, and it was often used in medieval times to describe a person who lived near a prominent stone landmark or a natural rock formation that resembled a chest. By the early 18th century, records confirm that members of the Arca family were established in the Kingdom of Castile. During this period, the family was part of the social fabric of the Castilian heartland, likely participating in the agricultural or artisan trades common to the region. As the family grew, they moved through various provinces, carrying the name as a reflection of their ancestral connection to the rugged landscape of their home.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Arca
Latin term for a chest, box, or coffer.
This name
ArcaA topographic name for someone living near a chest-shaped landform or a maker of wooden chests.
also spelled
Aroka
Arocca
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Moll, Francesc de B., Els llinatges catalans: Catalunya, País Valencià i les Illes Balears, 1959
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro del Sello de Corte, 1722
Pescador del Hoyo, María del Carmen, La población de Castilla en el siglo XVIII, 1964
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wolfReward from long service and hard work
wolfReward from long service and hard work
