Map of Spain showing where the Chaves arms are recorded
The Chaves arms were recorded in Castile, c. 1722.
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 Chaves 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 Castile.
Origin & History of the Chaves Family in Spain
The surname Chaves originates from the Portuguese town of Chaves, which was known as Aquae Flaviae during the Roman period. The name was often given to individuals who moved from this specific town to other regions, including the neighboring kingdom of Castile. By the early 18th century, families bearing this name had established a firm presence in the Castilian landscape. These early members of the family were often involved in the social and economic life of their local communities, serving as landowners or local officials. As the family spread across the Iberian Peninsula, they adapted to the local customs and legal systems of their new homes while maintaining the identity linked to their ancestral roots. This migration pattern reflects the broader movement of people across Spain and Portugal during the centuries following the Reconquista.
Chaves Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Clavis
Latin term meaning a key or a bolt used for locking.
This name
ChavesRefers to someone who lived near a key-shaped piece of land or a gatekeeper.
also spelled
Chavez
Shavez
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Moll, Francesc de Borja. Els llinatges catalans. 1959
Piferrer, Francisco. Nobiliario de los reinos y señoríos de España. 1857
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro del Sello de Corte
Archivo Histórico Nacional, Sección de Consejos Suprimidos
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
