A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Comes family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5260 · Spanish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'or à quatre fasces voûtées de sa.”
Spainc. 1722
Where the Comes Arms Were Recorded
Castile
Map of Spain showing where the Comes arms are recorded
The Comes 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 Comes 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 Comes Family in Spain
The surname Comes carries a rich history that reflects the social shifts of the Iberian Peninsula. While the name is often associated with Mediterranean regions, historical records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the Kingdom of Castile by 1722. During this era, the name likely functioned as a descriptor of status or occupation, as the term itself is derived from the Latin word for a companion or an official who served the royal court. Families bearing this name in Castile were often part of the local administrative or land-owning classes, playing a role in the governance and agricultural life of their communities. As the family moved through the Spanish interior, they integrated into the local parish systems, which served as the primary way for historians to track their movements through baptismal and marriage registries. By the early 18th century, the Comes family had become a settled part of the Castilian landscape, contributing to the development of the region during a time of significant transition for the Spanish monarchy.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a bend raguly gu. a lion pass. of the field”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Comes Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Comes arms are recorded
The Comes arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Spain when the Comes arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Comes Family in England
The family name Comes has roots that stretch back to the bustling streets of seventeenth-century London. By 1620, individuals bearing this name were already established within the city, participating in the complex social and economic life of a rapidly growing capital. During this era, London served as a primary hub for trade and migration, drawing people from across the countryside and the continent to seek new opportunities. The presence of the Comes family in such a central location suggests they were likely integrated into the merchant classes or the skilled trades that defined the city’s character at the time. While the name itself carries linguistic connections to the Latin word for a companion or an attendant, its early English history is defined by the resilience and adaptability of those who navigated the crowded parishes and shifting political landscape of Stuart-era London.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Comes
Latin term meaning a companion, attendant, or count.
This name
ComesAn occupational or status-based surname denoting someone who served as a count or noble companion.
also spelled
Commes
Comis
Come
Komes
Coms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Moll, Francesc de B., Els llinatges catalans, 1959
García Carraffa, Alberto y Arturo, El solar catalán, valenciano y balear, 1968
Archivo Histórico Nacional, Sección Nobleza
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro del Sello de Corte
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
