Map of England showing where the Montes arms are recorded
The Montes 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 Montes 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 Montes Family in England
The family name Montes carries a rich history that traces its roots to the rugged landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula. Derived from the Latin word *montem*, meaning mountain, the name was originally used to identify people who lived near or worked upon high, elevated terrain. While the name is deeply connected to Spanish and Portuguese origins, members of the family were documented as being present in the English city of York as early as 1620. This suggests that individuals carrying the name were part of the early modern movement of people across Europe, likely traveling for trade, religious reasons, or military service. By settling in a northern English hub like York, these early family members integrated into a new culture while maintaining a surname that served as a permanent link to their ancestral geography.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
mons
Latin word meaning mountain or hill.
This name
MontesRefers to someone who lived near a mountain or on a hillside.
also spelled
Montesie
Montesay
Montesee
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Alcover, Antoni Maria and Moll, Francesc de Borja. Diccionari català-valencià-balear. 1962
Moll, Francesc de Borja. Els llinatges catalans. 1959
York City Archives. York City House Books (B series). 1620
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