A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Castells family of Spain.
Reg. 1857 · Spanish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 une rose d'arg., tigée et feuillée du même, cant. de quatre tours d'or.”
Spainc. 1722
Where the Castells Arms Were Recorded
Castile
Map of Spain showing where the Castells arms are recorded
The Castells 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 Castells 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 Castells Family in Spain
The surname Castells originates from the Catalan word for castles, which suggests that the family’s earliest ancestors likely served as guards, builders, or administrators of fortified structures during the Middle Ages. While the name is deeply rooted in the linguistic traditions of Catalonia, historical records confirm that members of the family had established a significant presence in the region of Castile by 1722. During this period, families often moved across the Iberian Peninsula to pursue new opportunities in agriculture, trade, or royal service. As the family settled into the Castilian landscape, they adapted to the local culture while maintaining the identity tied to their ancestral name. This transition reflects the broader movement of people across Spain during the eighteenth century, as families sought to build new lives in growing administrative and economic centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Castellum
A Latin term referring to a small fort or castle.
This name
CastellsA topographic surname for someone who lived near or worked in a castle.
also spelled
Castell
Castel
Kastels
Related arms
Castelvariant spelling
Castellvariant 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
Archivo General de Simancas. Registro del Sello de Corte. 1722
Alcover, Antoni Maria. Diccionari català-valencià-balear. 1930
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
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
