A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Olivares family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4133 · German, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un olivier de sin., terrassé du même, et accolé de deux couleuvres affr. de sin. Cq. cour. C.: les meubles de l'écu, surm. de la D.: FRUSTRA. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
Germanyc. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Olivares arms are recorded
The Olivares arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Olivares arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Olivares Family in Germany
The family name Olivares is historically rooted in the Spanish language, where it refers to a grove of olive trees, yet its presence in the German region of Bavaria by 1765 suggests a fascinating migration story. During the eighteenth century, Europe experienced significant movement of people due to trade, military service, and the search for new economic opportunities. Families with Mediterranean origins often moved northward into the Holy Roman Empire, integrating into local communities while maintaining their distinct surnames. By the time records place the Olivares family in Bavaria in the mid-1700s, they had likely transitioned from their ancestral roots to become part of the local social fabric. This period in Bavarian history was marked by a focus on agricultural development and regional administration, providing a stable environment for immigrant families to establish themselves. The survival of the name in these official records indicates that the family successfully adapted to the German language and cultural landscape while preserving their unique identity through their surname.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à une tour sommée d'une tourelle au nat., sommée d'un olivier de sin.”
CastileCastile, c. 1722
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Map of Spain showing where the Olivares arms are recorded
The Olivares arms were recorded in Castile, c. 1722.
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 Germany when the Olivares 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 Castile.
Origin & History of the Olivares Family in Spain
The surname Olivares is a topographic name that originated in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically referring to people who lived near or worked in olive groves. The name is derived from the Spanish word "olivar," which means an olive orchard. While the family name became prominent in various regions of Spain, historical records confirm that members of the Olivares family were well-established in the Kingdom of Castile by 1722. During this era, the Castilian landscape was defined by its agricultural roots and the expansion of land ownership. Families bearing this name often played active roles in the local governance and rural economy of their communities. As the family grew, they spread across different provinces, carrying the name as a reflection of their ancestral connection to the land and the vital olive industry that shaped the economy of early modern Spain.
Olivares Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
oliva
Latin term for the olive fruit or olive tree.
This name
OlivaresDerived from a topographic name for someone who lived near an olive grove.
also spelled
Olivarez
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
