A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ferreira family of Spain.
Reg. 8250 · Spanish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“D'azur à la bord. d'or; à deux cotices de gu., br. sur le tout; l'azur ch. en abîme d'un besant d'or, surch. d'une bourse de gu. d'où sortent trois clous de maréchal-ferrant, du même.”
Spainc. 1722
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Map of Spain showing where the Ferreira arms are recorded
The Ferreira 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 Ferreira 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 Ferreira Family in Spain
The surname Ferreira is a topographic name that originated in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically derived from the Portuguese and Galician word for iron. It was historically used to identify individuals who lived near iron mines or those who worked as blacksmiths. While the name is most strongly associated with Portugal, families bearing this name established roots in the neighboring region of Castile by the early 18th century. By 1722, members of the Ferreira family were documented as part of the social and economic fabric of the Castilian landscape. These early ancestors were likely part of the migration patterns between the kingdoms of the peninsula, where families moved across borders to pursue trade, agriculture, or administrative roles. Over time, the name became a permanent fixture in the region, reflecting a history of movement and integration within the diverse cultures of Spain and Portugal.
Ferreira Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ferrum
Latin word meaning iron or a metal tool.
This name
FerreiraAn occupational surname for a blacksmith or someone who worked with iron.
also spelled
Farrera
Ferera
Fereira
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Piel, Joseph M., Os nomes de lugar de origem pré-latina na toponímia portuguesa, 1948
Moll, Francesc de B., Els llinatges catalans, 1959
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro del Sello de Corte, 1722
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
