A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Galban family of Spain.
Reg. 5781 · Spanish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 trois étoiles (8) mal-ordonnées d'arg., acc. en chef d'un croiss. versé du même.”
SpainPort, c. 1680
Where the Galban Arms Were Recorded
Castile
Map of Spain showing where the Galban arms are recorded
The Galban arms were recorded in Port, c. 1680.
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.
Charles II of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of Spain
1665–1700
Reigning in Spain when the Galban 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 Galban Family in Spain
The surname Galban has deep roots in the historical region of Castile, where family members were documented as early as 1680. During this period, Castile served as the political and cultural heart of Spain, and families living there were often involved in the agricultural or administrative life of the growing kingdom. The name itself is thought to be descriptive, likely originating from a nickname used to identify a person’s physical traits or their place of origin within the rugged landscape of the Iberian Peninsula. As the family established itself in the late seventeenth century, they became part of the social fabric of a society transitioning through significant economic and territorial changes. Over time, the Galban name spread from these Castilian foundations, reflecting the migration patterns of families moving across Spain to seek new opportunities in trade and local government.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Galbus
Latin term referring to a yellow or pale complexion.
This name
GalbanA topographic surname denoting someone who lived near a yellow or pale-colored field.
also spelled
Galband
Galbain
Galbano
Related arms
Abarbanelrecorded with Galban, same area
Henriquezrecorded with Galban, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Moll, Francesc de B., Els llinatges catalans, 1959
Faure, Roberto, Diccionario de apellidos españoles, 2001
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro del Sello de Corte
Archivo Histórico Nacional, Sección de Consejos Suprimidos
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
