Map of Spain showing where the Cala arms are recorded
The Cala arms were recorded in Andalusia, c. 1722.
Andalusia was the last part of Spain taken back from the Moors, and the land was shared out among the men who took it. A grant of land came with a grant of arms, so the region produced a great many.
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 Cala 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 Andalusia.
Origin & History of the Cala Family in Spain
The surname Cala is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Andalusia, a region in southern Spain known for its rich cultural blend. By the early eighteenth century, families bearing this name were already established within the local social fabric, particularly as the region transitioned through significant administrative and agricultural changes. The name itself is often linked to the geographical features of the Iberian Peninsula, as the word "cala" refers to a small bay or cove along the coast. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name likely lived near the Mediterranean or Atlantic shores, where they were involved in maritime trade, fishing, or coastal defense. By 1722, records confirm that members of the Cala family were active participants in the life of their Andalusian communities, contributing to the local economy and the development of the region during a time when Spain was beginning to modernize its provincial governance.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 un chien d'arg., coll. d'or.”
SicilySicily, c. 1775
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Map of Italy showing where the Cala arms are recorded
The Cala arms were recorded in Sicily, c. 1775.
Sicily was ruled in turn by Normans, Germans, French and Spanish, and each left landed families behind. The island kept formal lists of its noble houses, which is why so many Sicilian names carry recorded arms.
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 Cala 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 Sicily.
Origin & History of the Cala Family in Italy
The history of the Cala family in Italy is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of Sicily, where documented records confirm their presence by the year 1775. The name likely evolved from regional dialects, possibly reflecting the geography or the specific trades of early ancestors living on the island. During the late 18th century, Sicily was a complex society shaped by centuries of diverse cultural influences, and families like the Calas were often part of the local agrarian or artisan classes that formed the backbone of the island's economy. Living in a period of transition under the Bourbon monarchy, these early family members navigated a life defined by tight-knit community ties and the distinct traditions of Southern Italy. While specific details of their daily lives remain part of the broader historical tapestry of the region, the persistence of the name in Sicilian records suggests a family that was well-established within their local parishes and towns long before the turn of the 19th century.
Cala Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Calathus
Latin term for a wicker basket or a small vessel.
This name
CalaA topographic name referring to someone who lived near a small bay or inlet.
also spelled
Calla
Kala
Related arms
Callavariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Moll, Francesc de Borja, Els llinatges catalans: Catalunya, País Valencià, Illes Balears, 1959
Faure, Roberto, Diccionario de apellidos españoles, 2001
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro General del Sello
Archivo Histórico Nacional, Sección Nobleza
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
