A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Espejo family of Spain.
Reg. 1378 · Spanish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“De gu. à une croisette d'or, acc. de trois miroirs arrondis d'arg. dans des cadres sculptés de sa.”
AragonMurcie · Aragon, c. 1722
Where the Espejo Arms Were Recorded
Aragon
Map of Spain showing where the Espejo arms are recorded
The Espejo 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 Espejo 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 Espejo Family in Spain
The surname Espejo is a topographic name that originated in Spain, derived from the Spanish word for mirror. In medieval times, this name was often given to people who lived near a prominent lake or a reflective body of water that resembled a mirror. By the early 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Aragon. Historical records from 1722 confirm that members of the Espejo family were active participants in the social and administrative life of this northeastern Spanish territory. As the family grew, they moved across different provinces, carrying their name into various professional fields and local communities. This pattern of migration helped the name spread from its early roots in the Iberian Peninsula to become a recognized part of Spanish history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Speculum
Latin term referring to a looking glass or reflective surface.
This name
EspejoA topographic or occupational name for someone who lived near a mirror-like lake or a maker of mirrors.
also spelled
Espeyo
Espeho
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Moll, Francesc de Borja. Els llinatges catalans. 1959
Pescador del Hoyo, María del Carmen. Apellidos en España. 1996
Archivo de la Corona de Aragón. Real Audiencia de Aragón, Serie de Procesos
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
