A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Meidell family of Spain.
Reg. 9791 · Spanish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 une tour au nat., accostée de deux vergettes d'or, ladite tour sommée de trois tourelles au nat., celle du milieu plus élevée et surm. d'une étoile d'azur; à la bord. de gu., ch. de huit flanchis d'or.”
CastileCastile, c. 1722
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Map of Spain showing where the Meidell arms are recorded
The Meidell arms were recorded in Castile, c. 1722.
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 Meidell 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 Castile.
Origin & History of the Meidell Family in Spain
The history of the Meidell family name is deeply rooted in the movement of people across European borders during the early eighteenth century. By 1722, records confirm that members of the family were established in the region of Castile, Spain. This period was a time of significant social and political transition in the Spanish kingdoms, often drawing individuals from northern or central Europe who were seeking new opportunities in trade, military service, or administration. The name itself reflects linguistic patterns common to Germanic regions, suggesting that the family likely migrated from these areas before settling into the Spanish social landscape. As they integrated into Castilian society, the family adapted to the local culture while maintaining their distinct surname, which served as a link to their ancestral origins. This transition highlights the broader historical trend of families relocating across the continent to build new lives within the evolving structures of the Spanish Empire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Medius
Latin term meaning middle or central.
This name
MeidellRefers to a person who lived in the middle of a settlement or a central location.
also spelled
Medele
Medell
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivo General de Simancas, Secretaría de Estado, Legajos de Castilla, 1722
López-Gómez, Pedro, La inmigración europea en la Castilla del siglo XVIII, 1998
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