A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cueva family of Spain.
Reg. 7506 · Spanish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à une losange de gu., cant de quatre lions du même et ch. d'une tour d'arg., sommée de trois tourelles du même, celle du milieu plus élevée.”
CastileCastile, c. 1722
Where the Cueva Arms Were Recorded
Castile
Map of Spain showing where the Cueva arms are recorded
The Cueva 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 Cueva 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 Cueva Family in Spain
The surname Cueva is a topographic name that originated in the rugged landscapes of northern Spain. It is derived from the Spanish word for cave, which suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family likely lived near or within distinctive cavernous rock formations. By the early 18th century, the family had established a firm presence in the region of Castile. During this period, Castile served as the political and cultural heart of the Spanish kingdom, and families living there were often deeply involved in local agriculture or regional administration. The name reflects a time when people were frequently identified by the unique physical landmarks surrounding their homes. As the family grew, they became part of the long history of the Castilian people, contributing to the social and economic development of the area throughout the 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cava
Latin term referring to a hollow, cavity, or cave.
This name
CuevaA topographic name for someone who lived near a cave or a cavernous dwelling.
also spelled
Queva
Kueva
Cuevas
Kwayva
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Moll, Francesc de B., Els llinatges catalans, 1959
Pescador del Hoyo, María del Carmen, La casa de la Cueva en la Edad Media, 1954
Archivo de la Real Chancillería de Valladolid, Registro de Ejecutorias
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
