A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Feliu family of Spain.
Reg. 6532 · Spanish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à une croix de Calatrava de gu.”
CataloniaCatalonia, c. 1722
Where the Feliu Arms Were Recorded
Catalonia
Map of Spain showing where the Feliu arms are recorded
The Feliu 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 Feliu 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 Feliu Family in Spain
The family name Feliu is deeply rooted in the linguistic and cultural landscape of Catalonia, tracing its origins to the Latin name Felix, which translates to lucky or fortunate. By the early 18th century, families bearing this name were well-established members of the Catalan community, living through a period of significant social and political transition following the War of the Spanish Succession. During this era, individuals named Feliu were often involved in local agriculture, trade, or the skilled crafts that defined the regional economy. Because the name was tied to a common saint, it spread naturally across the northeastern Iberian Peninsula, becoming a recognizable identifier for families who maintained deep connections to their local parishes and village life. These early ancestors helped shape the identity of the region by preserving the Catalan language and customs during a time when the central government was exerting new control over their daily lives.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Felix
Latin term meaning lucky, successful, or prosperous.
This name
FeliuA Catalan surname derived from the Latin name meaning fortunate or happy.
also spelled
Feliue
Fayloo
Feleeoo
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, 1968
Moll, Francesc de B., Els llinatges catalans, 1959
Arxiu de la Corona d'Aragó, Cadastre de Catalunya
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
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