A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Guevarra family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8611 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
leafHappiness and abundance
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, or, three bends erm.; 2nd and 3rd, gu. five watercress leaves in saltire ar”
LincolnLincoln, c. 1617
Where the Guevarra Arms Were Recorded
Lincoln
Map of England showing where the Guevarra arms are recorded
The Guevarra arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1617.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Guevarra arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Guevarra Family in England
The history of the Guevarra family in England is rooted in the movement of noble families across Europe during the early seventeenth century. By 1617, records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of Lincoln, marking their presence as part of a small group of foreign-born residents who integrated into local society. The name itself reflects a Spanish origin, specifically tied to the Basque region, where it historically referred to a specific place or estate. When these individuals arrived in England, they brought with them a distinct cultural heritage that stood out within the English Midlands. Over time, the family transitioned from being seen as outsiders to becoming part of the local administrative and social fabric of Lincoln. Their presence in the city serves as a reminder of the historical connections between England and the broader European continent during the Stuart period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bordureA difference between branches of one family
leafHappiness and abundance
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, or, three bends erm.; 2nd and 3rd, gu. five watercress leaves pendent in saltire ar. all within a bordure inscribed, La mayor, victoria de ellas es el bien mere cellas. Crest, as the last”
LincolnLincoln, c. 1722
Where the Guevarra Arms Were Recorded
Map of Spain showing where the Guevarra arms are recorded
The Guevarra arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1722.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 England when the Guevarra 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Guevarra Family in Spain
The surname Guevarra finds its roots in the Basque region of northern Spain, specifically within the province of Álava. The name is derived from the Basque word *gevara*, which describes a location situated on a high or elevated place. During the medieval period, the family established itself as a prominent noble house, with members often serving as influential advisors and military leaders to the Spanish crown. As the influence of the Spanish Empire expanded across the globe, members of the family began to migrate far from their ancestral lands. By the early 18th century, the family had established a presence in distant territories, including a documented record of family members living in Lincoln by 1722. This migration highlights how a family originating from the mountainous terrain of northern Spain eventually integrated into diverse international communities during the colonial era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gebara
Basque term referring to a place of high ground or hill.
This name
GuevarraA locational surname originating from the Basque region of Spain, denoting someone from a mountainous area.
also spelled
Guevara
Guevarra
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Gibbons, Arthur, Notes on the Visitation of Lincolnshire, 1634, 1898
Maddison, Arthur Roland, Lincolnshire Pedigrees, 1902
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln Consistory Court Wills, 1617
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
leafHappiness and abundance
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
leafHappiness and abundance
bordureA difference between branches of one family
