Map of Spain showing where the Esquivel arms are recorded
The Esquivel 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 Esquivel 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 Esquivel Family in Spain
The surname Esquivel originates from the Basque region of northern Spain, specifically from a place called Esquivel located near Vitoria-Gasteiz. The name is derived from the Basque words "ezki," meaning linden tree, and "ibel," which refers to a slope or a riverbank. This suggests that the earliest families to adopt the name were likely identified by the landscape surrounding their ancestral homes. By the early 18th century, members of the family had established a firm presence in the region of Castile. These families were often involved in local administration and land management, which allowed them to maintain a stable social standing as they moved throughout the Spanish territories. Their migration patterns reflect the broader movement of families during the colonial era, as they sought new opportunities while carrying their regional identity from the Basque Country into the heart of the Castilian plains.
Esquivel Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Eskibel
Basque term referring to a place of low-lying meadows or fields.
This name
EsquivelA topographic surname denoting someone who lived near or worked on low-lying meadow lands.
also spelled
Eskivel
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Mikeldi, José de. Diccionario etimológico de apellidos vascos. 1956
Archivo General de Simancas. Registro del Sello de Corte. 1722
García Carraffa, Alberto y Arturo. Enciclopedia heráldica y genealógica hispano-americana. 1920
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mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
