A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gonsalez family of Spain.
Reg. 4295 · Spanish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 deux tourt. de gu., l'un sur l'autre; à la bord. du premier, ch. de quatre lions du sec., posés dans les cantons.”
Spainc. 1722
Where the Gonsalez Arms Were Recorded
Castile
Map of Spain showing where the Gonsalez arms are recorded
The Gonsalez 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 Gonsalez 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 Gonsalez Family in Spain
The surname Gonsalez is a patronymic name, which means it was originally derived from the first name of a father. It comes from the medieval Spanish name Gonzalo, which has roots in the Germanic language and carries the meaning of battle or war. By the time ancestors of the family were documented in the region of Castile in 1722, the name had already been established for centuries across the Iberian Peninsula. During this era, Castile was a central hub of Spanish culture and administration, and families living there were often deeply connected to the local agricultural or military systems. Because the name was tied to a common given name, it emerged independently in many different towns and villages. This allowed the family name to spread steadily as people moved throughout the kingdom to seek new opportunities in trade or government service.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gundisalvus
Derived from the Germanic elements for battle and war or elf.
This name
GonsalezA patronymic surname meaning son of the one prepared for battle.
also spelled
Gonsalez
Gonzales
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albaigès, Josep M., Diccionario de nombres de personas, 1993
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.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
