A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Calvo family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5330 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ec.: au 1 de gu. à une coquille d'arg.; au 2 d'azur à une étoile d'or; au 3 d'azur au lion au nat.; au 4 de gu. au château d'or. Au chef de l'écu d'or, br. sur l'écartelé et ch. d'une aigle de sa.”
RoussillonRoussillon, c. 1663
Where the Calvo Arms Were Recorded
Roussillon
Map of France showing where the Calvo arms are recorded
The Calvo arms were recorded in Roussillon, c. 1663.
Roussillon was Pyrenean country that belonged to Spain before it belonged to France. Its families held small estates under both crowns, and serving either one brought a shield.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Calvo arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Roussillon.
Origin & History of the Calvo Family in France
The name Calvo carries a rich history that is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of the Roussillon region. By the year 1663, families bearing this name were already established members of the local community in this area, which sits along the border between France and Spain. Because Roussillon was a territory that transitioned between Spanish and French rule during the seventeenth century, the Calvo family likely navigated a unique blend of linguistic and social traditions. The name itself is derived from a Latin term meaning bald, which was a common way to describe a person in the medieval era. Families with this name were often integrated into the agricultural and administrative life of the region, helping to shape the development of the local villages. Their presence in the historical records of the mid-seventeenth century shows that they were settled, active participants in the society of the Pyrenees foothills during a time of significant political change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
helmetWisdom and security in defence
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 deux cerfs pass. d'arg., l'un sur l'autre, chacun portant sur la croupe un casque de profil du même.”
Spainc. 1722
Where the Calvo Arms Were Recorded
Castile
Map of Spain showing where the Calvo arms are recorded
The Calvo 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 France when the Calvo 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 Calvo Family in Spain
The surname Calvo is a descriptive name that originated in the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. In Spanish, the word "calvo" means bald, and it was likely used as a nickname to distinguish a specific ancestor from others in his community. By the time the family was firmly established in the region of Castile in 1722, the name had already been passed down through generations as a permanent identifier. During this era, families in Castile often lived in small agricultural villages where they maintained local records of births, marriages, and deaths within their parish churches. These records show that the Calvo family was part of the common social fabric of the Spanish interior, contributing to the local economy and community life long before the name spread to other parts of the world. The history of the name is deeply tied to the demographic shifts and the development of administrative record-keeping in the Spanish heartland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Calvus
Latin term meaning bald or hairless.
This name
CalvoA descriptive nickname originally used to identify a person who was bald.
also spelled
Kalvo
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Capeille, Jean. Dictionnaire de biographies roussillonnaises. 1914
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
helmetWisdom and security in defence
