Map of England showing where the Monteiro arms are recorded
The Monteiro arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 Monteiro 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 England.
Origin & History of the Monteiro Family in England
The surname Monteiro originates from the Portuguese and Galician languages, functioning as a topographic name for someone who lived or worked near a mountain or in a wooded area. The name is derived from the word "monte," which refers to a hill or a mountain, combined with the suffix "eiro," indicating a person associated with that place. While the name is deeply rooted in the Iberian Peninsula, historical records confirm that members of the family were present in York, England, as early as 1620. This suggests that the family was part of the early modern movement of merchants and individuals traveling between the Atlantic coast of Europe and the British Isles for trade and religious reasons. These early settlers likely integrated into the local English society while maintaining their distinct linguistic heritage, marking the beginning of the family's long presence in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mons
Latin term referring to a mountain or a prominent hill.
This name
MonteiroA locational surname for someone who lived near or on a mountain.
also spelled
Montre
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Antenor Nascentes, Dicionário Etimológico da Língua Portuguesa, 1932
José Pedro Machado, Dicionário Onomástico Etimológico da Língua Portuguesa, 1981
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I
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martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
