A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Espada family of Spain.
Reg. 1782 · Spanish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swordJustice, and military honour
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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'azur à une épée d'arg., posée en pal; à la bord. d'or, ch. de huit fleurs-de-lis de sa.”
Spainc. 1722
Where the Espada Arms Were Recorded
Castile
Map of Spain showing where the Espada arms are recorded
The Espada 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 Espada 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 Espada Family in Spain
The surname Espada finds its roots in the Spanish language, where the word literally translates to sword. During the Middle Ages, names were often adopted to describe a person’s profession, their physical traits, or the tools they carried. It is likely that the first individuals to use this name were either skilled swordsmiths or soldiers known for their expertise in combat. By the year 1722, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established in the region of Castile. This area was the heart of the Spanish kingdom, and families living there often played significant roles in local administration and agricultural life. Over time, the name spread from these central provinces to other parts of Spain and eventually across the Atlantic, carrying with it a history tied to the craftsmanship and martial traditions of the Iberian Peninsula.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Spatha
A Latin term for a broad, two-edged sword.
This name
EspadaAn occupational name for a swordsman or a maker of swords.
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, Apellidos en España, 1996
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro General del Sello
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swordJustice, and military honour
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
swordJustice, and military honour
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
