Map of Spain showing where the Cardenas arms are recorded
The Cardenas arms were recorded in Cordoue, c. 1722.
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 Cardenas 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 Cardenas Family in Spain
The surname Cardenas is a topographic name that originated in Spain, specifically derived from the word "cardena," which refers to a place where thistle plants grow. Historically, the name is linked to the region of Castile, but families carrying this name spread throughout the Iberian Peninsula over several centuries. By the early 18th century, records confirm that members of the Cardenas family were established in the city of Cordoba, which was a significant cultural and administrative center at the time. These early ancestors were part of the social fabric of the city during a period of transition in Spanish history. As the family grew, they moved into various professional roles, helping to cement the name as a recognized part of the regional heritage. Their presence in Cordoba in 1722 highlights the family's long-standing roots in southern Spain and their integration into the local community during the colonial era.
Cardenas Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cardo
A prickly plant or thistle belonging to the family Asteraceae.
This name
CardenasA topographic name for someone who lived in a place where thistles grew.
also spelled
Cardenaz
Related arms
Angulorecorded with Cardenas, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Faure, Roberto, Diccionario de apellidos españoles, 2001
Moll, Francesc de B., Els llinatges catalans, 1959
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro del Sello de Corte, 1722
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
