A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Garces family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7520 · Spanish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 un cygne d'arg., acc. de trois étoiles (5) d'or, rangées en chef.”
AragonAragon, c. 1722
Where the Garces Arms Were Recorded
Aragon
Map of Spain showing where the Garces arms are recorded
The Garces arms were recorded in Aragon, c. 1722.
Aragon was mountain and river country in north-eastern Spain, with a strong tradition of small independent landholders. A great many families counted as gentry there, and each one needed a shield to be told apart.
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 Garces 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 Aragon.
Origin & History of the Garces Family in Spain
The surname Garces has deep roots in the Iberian Peninsula, originating as a patronymic name derived from the medieval given name Garsia. This name was particularly prominent in the northern regions of Spain, including the Kingdom of Aragon, where it gained significant status during the Middle Ages. By the early 18th century, the family was well-established within the social and administrative structures of the Aragonese territory. Records from 1722 confirm that members of the Garces family were active participants in the local community, likely serving as landowners or local officials who helped shape the region’s development. Because the name is linked to the ancient Basque word for bear, it carries a legacy of strength that reflects the family's long-standing presence in the rugged landscapes of northern Spain.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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'arg. à trois fasces de gu.; à la bord. du même, ch. de huit flanchis d'or.”
NavarreNavarre, c. 1663
Where the Garces Arms Were Recorded
Navarre
Map of France showing where the Garces arms are recorded
The Garces arms were recorded in Navarre, c. 1663.
Navarre was mountain country straddling the Pyrenees, with a strong class of small independent landholders. A great many households counted as gentry there, and each needed a shield to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Spain when the Garces arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Navarre.
Origin & History of the Garces Family in France
The surname Garces carries a deep history rooted in the border regions between France and Spain, particularly within the historic Kingdom of Navarre. While the name is often associated with the Iberian Peninsula, the Garces family maintained a significant presence in the French Basque country and the surrounding Pyrenees mountains during the seventeenth century. By 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in these rugged lands, where they lived as part of a society defined by unique local customs and a distinct linguistic heritage. The name itself is believed to be of ancient origin, likely derived from early medieval personal names that were common among the nobility and landowners of the region. As families in this area often moved across the porous border between the French and Spanish territories, the Garces lineage became deeply woven into the agricultural and social fabric of the borderlands. Their presence in Navarre during the mid-1600s highlights a time of transition when families were increasingly documented in parish registers and local administrative papers, helping to preserve the identity of the name for future generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gartzia
Basque term meaning young or bear.
This name
GarcesPatronymic surname derived from a medieval given name associated with youth or strength.
also spelled
Garce
Garcess
Garsay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Pidal, Ramón Menéndez. Orígenes del español: estado lingüístico de la península ibérica hasta el siglo XI. 1926
Moll, Francesc de Borja. Els llinatges catalans. 1959
Archivo de la Corona de Aragón. Cancillería Real, Registros
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
