Map of Spain showing where the Borja arms are recorded
The Borja 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 Borja 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 Borja Family in Spain
The history of the Borja family name in Spain is deeply rooted in the shifting landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. Originally derived from the town of Borja in the province of Zaragoza, the name began as a geographical identifier for those who lived in or originated from that specific region. As the family grew, its members moved across different Spanish territories, eventually establishing a notable presence in Castile by the early 18th century. This migration reflected the broader movement of families seeking new opportunities and social standing within the expanding administrative centers of the Spanish kingdom. By 1722, the Borja name was well-integrated into the social fabric of Castile, representing a lineage that had transitioned from its local origins to become part of the wider historical narrative of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
bullValour and generosity
fireZeal and purification
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 d'or au boeuf de gu., pass. sur une terrasse de sin.; à la bord. du sec., ch. de huit flammes d'or; au 2 palé d'or et de gu., de huit pièces; au 3 d'azur à trois fleurs-de-lis d'or; au 4 fascé d'or et de gu. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1º un boeuf iss. et cont. de gu.; 1. d'or et d'azur; 2º une hydre iss. de sin.; 1. d'or et de gu.”
ItalyFlorence, c. 1775
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Map of Italy showing where the Borja arms are recorded
The Borja arms were recorded in Florence, c. 1775.
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 Italy in this period.
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
Sovereign of the period
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
1763–1778
Reigning in Spain when the Borja arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Italy
In the Italian states, coats of arms were often used by noble families to show their status and history. These symbols were passed down through the generations to all legitimate male descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design but sometimes added small changes to distinguish their specific line from the main branch.
Granting authority
Various local rulers and city governments controlled the use of coats of arms across the different Italian states.
How they got arms
Families often assumed their own arms or received them as official grants from local lords, popes, or city councils.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in local city archives or private family books rather than in one single national register.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Italy.
Origin & History of the Borja Family in Italy
The history of the Borja family in Italy is deeply tied to the movement of people across the Mediterranean during the eighteenth century. While the family name is most famously associated with the Spanish region of Valencia, members of the family established a notable presence in Florence by 1775. During this period, Florence served as a major center for trade and diplomacy, attracting families who sought to integrate into the local merchant and administrative classes. These early settlers likely arrived in the city to pursue professional opportunities or to manage business interests that connected the Italian peninsula with other parts of Europe. By embedding themselves into the social fabric of Tuscany, these individuals helped transition the family name from its origins in the Iberian Peninsula to a new life within the Italian states. This migration reflects the broader patterns of mobility that defined the era, where families often relocated to major urban hubs to secure their economic future and social standing.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Borgia
Derived from the Aragonese town of Borja, meaning high tower or fortress.
This name
BorjaA locative surname referring to individuals originating from the town of Borja in Spain.
also spelled
Borja
Borgia-Lanzol
Borjia
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Fita, Fidel. La casa de Borja. 1885
Pastor de Togores, José. Historia de la villa de Borja. 1859
Archivo de la Real Chancillería de Valladolid, Registro de Ejecutorias
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
bullValour and generosity
fireZeal and purification
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bullValour and generosity
fireZeal and purification
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
