A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Arnao family of Portugal.
Reg. 5633 · Portuguese, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à six lions de sa., 2, 2 et 2.”
Portugalc. 1706
Where the Arnao Arms Were Recorded
Lisboa
Map of Portugal showing where the Arnao arms are recorded
The Arnao arms were recorded in Portugal, c. 1706.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Lisboa.
Lisbon was the seat of the Portuguese crown and the port its wealth came through. Families made rich by trade and by service to the king took arms, and the crown's heralds recorded them there.
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 Portugal in this period.
Peter II of Portugal
Sovereign of the period
Peter II of Portugal
1683–1706
Reigning in Portugal when the Arnao arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Portugal
In Portugal, a coat of arms was a family possession that passed from a father to his children. Every legitimate descendant had the right to use the family shield without needing to change it. Younger branches of the family kept the original design, though they sometimes added small symbols to distinguish their specific line from the main branch.
Granting authority
The Cartório da Nobreza acted as the official body that managed and regulated noble titles and coats of arms in Portugal.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms through bloodline, though they could also receive new grants from the crown for distinguished service.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the books of the Cartório da Nobreza starting in the year 1512.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Portugal.
Origin & History of the Arnao Family in Portugal
The family name Arnao carries a rich history that likely traces its roots to the movement of people across the Iberian Peninsula. By the early eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Lisboa, where records confirm their residence by 1706. During this period, Lisboa was a bustling center of trade and culture, drawing families from various regions to participate in the city's growth. The name itself is often associated with linguistic variations found in northern Spain and southern France, suggesting that early ancestors may have migrated southward over several generations. As these individuals settled in Portugal, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the professional and civic life of the capital during a time of significant historical transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Arnwald
Derived from Germanic elements meaning eagle and power or ruler.
This name
ArnaoA patronymic surname signifying descendant of the eagle ruler or powerful eagle.
also spelled
Arnaou
Arnaoe
Arnaoh
Arna
Related arms
Arnauvariant spelling
Arnaud d'Andillyvariant spelling
Arnaud de Bouexvariant spelling
Arnaud de la Cassagnevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo, Registos Paroquiais de Lisboa
Arquivo Histórico Municipal de Lisboa, Documentação Administrativa do Século XVIII
Freire, Anselmo Braamcamp, Brasões da Sala de Sintra, 1921. (Note: This source provides genealogical context on families residing in Lisboa during the early 18th century)
Sanches de Baena, Visconde de, Archivo Heraldico-Genealogico, 1872
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
