Map of Spain showing where the Contreras arms are recorded
The Contreras 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 Contreras 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 Contreras Family in Spain
The surname Contreras originated as a locative name, meaning it was derived from the specific geography of the region where the family first settled. It comes from the Spanish word *contreras*, which refers to a place situated against or opposite to a geographical feature like a mountain range or a valley. By the early 18th century, the family had firmly established roots in the historical region of Castile. During this period, Castile served as the political and cultural heart of Spain, and families living there were often deeply involved in the agricultural and administrative life of the kingdom. The presence of the Contreras name in official records from 1722 suggests that the family was part of the established social fabric of the Castilian countryside, where they likely contributed to the local economy and community development during a time of significant transition for the Spanish crown.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Coupé, d'or à l'aigle de sa., cour. d'or, sur gu. au lion d'arg., cour. d'or; à la fasce d'azur, br. sur le coupé et ch. d'une étoile d'or. Cq. cour. C.: l'aigle, iss. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
Austriac. 1680
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Map of Austria showing where the Contreras arms are recorded
The Contreras arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1680.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1680
Granting Authority for the Contreras Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
1658–1705
Reigning in Spain when the Contreras arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Contreras Family in Austria
The history of the Contreras family in the Austrian region of Tyrol begins with their documented presence in the area by 1680. While the name itself is of Spanish origin, its appearance in the Alpine landscape suggests a fascinating story of migration and integration during the seventeenth century. At that time, Tyrol served as a vital crossroads for trade and military movement between the Spanish-controlled territories and the Holy Roman Empire. Members of the family likely settled in this mountainous region due to the shifting political alliances and the movement of administrative officials across Europe. By establishing themselves in Tyrol, these early ancestors adapted to a new cultural environment while maintaining a distinct identity that separated them from the local population. Their presence in official records from this period highlights how families moved across borders to serve in government or commercial roles, eventually weaving their unique heritage into the historical fabric of the Austrian Alps.
Contreras Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Contra-strata
Latin term meaning against the layer or opposite the road.
This name
ContrerasRefers to a person living near a contested boundary or a crossroad.
also spelled
Contrera
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Moll, Francesc de B., Els llinatges catalans: Catalunya, País Valencià, Illes Balears, 1959
Pescador del Hoyo, María del Carmen, Apellidos en España, 1996
Archivo Histórico Nacional, Sección Nobleza, 1722
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
