A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Escala family of Spain.
Reg. 3168 · Spanish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à six échelles d'or, posées en bandes, 3 et 3. Sur le tout un écusson d'arg., ch. d'une émanche de cinq pièces d'azur, mouv. du flanc sen.”
CataloniaValence · Catalonia, c. 1722
Where the Escala Arms Were Recorded
Catalonia
Map of Spain showing where the Escala arms are recorded
The Escala arms were recorded in Catalonia, c. 1722.
Catalonia lived by sea trade, and its merchant houses were as powerful as its landowners. Both sorts of family took arms, and Barcelona kept records of the houses entitled to bear them.
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 Escala 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 Catalonia.
Origin & History of the Escala Family in Spain
The surname Escala originates from the Catalan language and carries a meaning rooted in the landscape of the region. The word itself translates to ladder or staircase, and it was likely used as a topographic name to describe a family living near a steep path, a series of rocky steps, or a mountain pass. By the early 18th century, the family was well-established in Catalonia, a region defined by its rugged terrain and distinct cultural identity. During this period, families often took their names from the specific physical features of their homes or the nature of their local geography. As the Escala family settled into these communities in 1722, they became part of the long history of Catalan society, where names served as a way to connect individuals to the land they cultivated and the villages they helped build.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Scala
A Latin term referring to a ladder, staircase, or flight of steps.
This name
EscalaA topographic name for someone who lived near a staircase or a steep path.
also spelled
Escalla
Eskala
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Alcover, Antoni M. and Moll, Francesc de B., Diccionari català-valencià-balear, 1962
Moll, Francesc de B., Els llinatges catalans, 1959
Arxiu de la Corona d'Aragó, Registres de la Reial Audiència de Catalunya
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
