A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Güell family of Spain.
Reg. 7396 · Spanish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
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)
“De gu. à deux fasces d'or.”
CataloniaCatalonia, c. 1722
Where the Güell Arms Were Recorded
Catalonia
Map of Spain showing where the Güell arms are recorded
The Güell arms were recorded in Catalonia, c. 1722.
Catalonia lived by sea trade, and its merchant houses were as powerful as its landowners. Both sorts of family took arms, and Barcelona kept records of the houses entitled to bear them.
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 Güell 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 Catalonia.
Origin & History of the Güell Family in Spain
The Güell family name has deep roots in the Catalonia region of Spain, where records confirm their presence as early as 1722. During the eighteenth century, the family established themselves in the coastal town of Torredembarra, where they worked primarily as merchants and sailors. This maritime background was essential to their early success, as it allowed them to build strong trade connections across the Mediterranean Sea. Over time, the family moved toward the growing industrial hub of Barcelona, shifting their focus from local shipping to the textile trade. This transition helped them become a prominent part of the Catalan middle class, setting the stage for the family to play a major role in the economic and cultural development of the region throughout the following century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gual
A Germanic term referring to a person of foreign origin.
This name
GüellA Catalan surname derived from the Germanic word for a foreigner or stranger.
also spelled
Guel
Guellh
Gwel
Gel
Gwell
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bassegoda i Nonell, Joan. Els Güell. 1983
Pujol i Hamelink, Marcel. Els Güell de Torredembarra. 1999
Arxiu Històric de Protocols de Barcelona, Fons Notarial de Barcelona
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
