Map of Spain showing where the Ochoa arms are recorded
The Ochoa arms were recorded in France, 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 Ochoa 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 Ochoa Family in Spain
The surname Ochoa is deeply rooted in the Basque region of northern Spain, where it originated as a descriptive name derived from the Basque word otsoa, meaning the wolf. In early medieval society, names often reflected the natural world or local wildlife, and the wolf was a symbol of strength and cunning in the rugged mountain landscapes of the Basque Country. As families migrated southward during the centuries of the Reconquista, the name spread into the central plateau of Castile. By the year 1722, records confirm that members of the Ochoa family were well-established in Castilian society, where they participated in the local administration and agricultural life of the region. This transition from the northern mountains to the heart of Spain shows how the family adapted to new environments while maintaining a name that connected them to their ancient linguistic heritage.
Ochoa Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
otso
A Basque word meaning wolf.
This name
OchoaDerived from the Basque term for wolf, likely referring to a person with wolf-like characteristics.
Related arms
Alfarorecorded with Ochoa, same area
Amoros de Sotelorecorded with Ochoa, same area
Andouinsrecorded with Ochoa, same area
Ibarrartrecorded with Ochoa, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Koldo Mitxelena, Apellidos vascos, 1953
Archivo de la Real Chancillería de Valladolid, Registro de Ejecutorias, 1722
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
branchPeace, and new growth
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
branchPeace, and new growth
