A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Najera family of Spain.
Reg. 5076 · Spanish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sin., chapé-ployé d'or; à trois fleurs-de-lis de l'un à l'autre, 2 et 1; à la bord. de gu., longeant les flancs et le chef, et ch. de deux cantons, dextre et sen., d'azur au soleil d'or; la bord. ch. en chef de deux tours d'or et à chaque flanc de quatre autres tours d'or.”
Spainc. 1722
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Map of Spain showing where the Najera arms are recorded
The Najera arms were recorded in Spain, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Castile.
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 Najera 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 Spain.
Origin & History of the Najera Family in Spain
The surname Nájera is a toponymic name, which means it originated from a specific geographic location. It is derived from the town of Nájera, located in the La Rioja region of northern Spain. The name itself is believed to come from the Arabic word "Nájara," which translates to "place between rocks" or "rocky place." This reflects the town's unique position nestled against sandstone cliffs. While the family had established roots in the Castile region by 1722, the name has much older ties to the medieval Kingdom of Navarre. During the Middle Ages, individuals often adopted the name of their hometown as a way to identify their origins when they moved to new areas. Over time, families who migrated from this town to other parts of Spain, such as Castile, carried the name with them as a permanent identifier. This practice helped preserve a connection to their ancestral home even as the family spread across the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Naxara
A pre-Roman term referring to a place between rocks or cliffs.
This name
NajeraA habitational surname originating from the town of Nájera in La Rioja, Spain.
also spelled
Nagerra
Nagere
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Faure, Roberto, María Asunción Ribes, and Antonio García, Diccionario de apellidos españoles, 2001
Moll, Francesc de B., Els llinatges catalans, 1959
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro del Sello de Corte, 1722
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
