A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Desmond family of Spain.
Reg. 0926 · Spanish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 un lion courant au nat., descendant une montagne au nat., mouv. du flanc sen. et de la p., poursuivant un renard courant tenant entre ses dents un lapin.”
AragonAragon, c. 1722
Where the Desmond Arms Were Recorded
Aragon
Map of Spain showing where the Desmond arms are recorded
The Desmond arms were recorded in Aragon, c. 1722.
Aragon was mountain and river country in north-eastern Spain, with a strong tradition of small independent landholders. A great many families counted as gentry there, and each one needed a shield to be told apart.
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 Desmond 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 Aragon.
Origin & History of the Desmond Family in Spain
The name Desmond originates from the Irish term Deasmhumhain, which translates to South Munster. Historically, this region was a powerful kingdom in the southwestern part of Ireland. Members of the family who held this name were often associated with the influential Fitzgerald dynasty, who acted as the Earls of Desmond for several centuries. By the early 18th century, the political landscape of Ireland shifted, leading many families to seek new opportunities across Europe. Records confirm that members of this lineage were established in the Kingdom of Aragon by 1722. During this era, families moving to Spain often integrated into local military or merchant classes, finding success within the administrative structures of the Spanish Crown. This migration highlights a transition from the Gaelic traditions of Ireland to the cosmopolitan society of the Mediterranean.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Deasmhumhain
Old Irish term referring to the southern region of Munster.
This name
DesmondA habitational surname denoting someone who originated from South Munster in Ireland.
also spelled
Desmonte
Desmond
Desmon
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Curtis, Edmund. A History of Ireland. 1936
Lynch, John. De Praesulibus Hiberniae. 1672
Archivo de la Corona de Aragón, Consejo de Aragón, Legajo 452
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
