Map of Spain showing where the Novoa arms are recorded
The Novoa 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 Novoa 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 Novoa Family in Spain
The surname Novoa originates from the northwestern region of Spain, specifically Galicia, where it was historically associated with noble lineages and landed gentry. The name is derived from the Galician word "novo," meaning new, and it often referred to a person who had recently settled in a specific location or established a new homestead. Over several centuries, members of the Novoa family migrated from these northern territories toward the heart of the Iberian Peninsula. By the early 18th century, the family had firmly established a presence in the region of Castile. Records from 1722 confirm that individuals bearing this name were integrated into the social and administrative fabric of Castilian society during this period. This migration reflects the broader movement of families across Spain as they sought new opportunities in the growing urban and agricultural centers of the central plateau.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Novus
Latin term meaning new or recently created.
This name
NovoaRefers to a person who settled in a newly established or reclaimed land.
also spelled
Noboa
Novoas
Novoya
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Mogrobejo, Endika de. Diccionario hispano de apellidos y blasones. 1995
Archivo General de Simancas. Registro del Sello de Corte. 1722
Faure, Roberto, María Asunción Ribes, and Antonio García. Diccionario de apellidos españoles. 2001
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
