A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fructuoso family of Portugal.
Reg. 3766 · Portuguese, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a fesse wavy betw. three vine leaves vert as many bezants, each charged with a bee volant ppr”
PortugalLondon, c. 1815
Where the Fructuoso Arms Were Recorded
Lisboa
Map of Portugal showing where the Fructuoso arms are recorded
The Fructuoso arms were recorded in London, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Lisboa.
Lisbon was the seat of the Portuguese crown and the port its wealth came through. Families made rich by trade and by service to the king took arms, and the crown's heralds recorded them there.
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 Portugal in this period.
Maria I of Portugal
Sovereign of the period
Maria I of Portugal
1777–1816
Reigning in Portugal when the Fructuoso arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Portugal
In Portugal, a coat of arms was a family possession that passed from a father to his children. Every legitimate descendant had the right to use the family shield without needing to change it. Younger branches of the family kept the original design, though they sometimes added small symbols to distinguish their specific line from the main branch.
Granting authority
The Cartório da Nobreza acted as the official body that managed and regulated noble titles and coats of arms in Portugal.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms through bloodline, though they could also receive new grants from the crown for distinguished service.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the books of the Cartório da Nobreza starting in the year 1512.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Portugal.
Origin & History of the Fructuoso Family in Portugal
The name Fructuoso originates from the Latin word *fructuosus*, which translates to fruitful or productive. Historically, this name was often given to individuals to signify a wish for prosperity or to honor early Christian saints who bore the same title. By the early 19th century, the family was well-established in the vibrant city of Lisboa. During this period, Lisboa served as a major hub for trade and cultural exchange, placing the family at the center of a rapidly changing Portuguese society. Records from 1815 confirm that members of the Fructuoso family were active participants in the urban life of the capital, likely contributing to the city's growth during a time of significant political transition in Portugal. As the family moved through the 1800s, they remained connected to the social and economic fabric of the region, carrying a name that reflected both a classical linguistic heritage and a long-standing presence in the heart of the nation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fructuosus
Latin term meaning fruitful, productive, or bearing fruit.
This name
FructuosoDerived from the Latin word for fruit, signifying one who is fruitful, productive, or successful.
also spelled
Fructuoso
Fructuoz
Fructuozze
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Almeida, Fortunato de. História da Igreja em Portugal. 1910
Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo. Registos Paroquiais de Lisboa. 1815
Machado, José Pedro. Dicionário Onomástico Etimológico da Língua Portuguesa. 1981
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
