A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Otalora family of Spain.
Reg. 5507 · Spanish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
wolfReward from long service and hard work
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 arbre de sin., acc. de deux loups pass. de sa., l'un devant et l'autre derrière le pied du fût, et accosté de deux ours affr. au nat., ramp. contre le fût.”
SpainGuipuzcoa, c. 1722
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Map of Spain showing where the Otalora arms are recorded
The Otalora arms were recorded in Guipuzcoa, c. 1722.
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 Otalora 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 Otalora Family in Spain
The surname Otalora originates from the Basque Country, a region known for its distinct language and deep-rooted traditions. Historical records confirm that members of the Otalora family were well-established in the province of Guipuzcoa by the year 1722. The name itself is derived from the Basque language, likely combining the words "otal" meaning gorse or broom plant and "ora" which often refers to a place or a location. This suggests that the family’s earliest ancestors were likely named after a specific landscape where these hardy, yellow-flowering shrubs grew in abundance. Over time, the name became a permanent identifier for families living in the mountainous terrain of northern Spain, marking them as people deeply connected to the local geography and the rural life of the Basque provinces.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ota-lora
Basque roots meaning abundant hazelnut grove or place of hazel trees.
This name
OtaloraA topographic surname referring to a location characterized by a dense growth of hazel trees.
also spelled
Otalorra
Otalorae
Otaloro
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Gorosabel, Pablo. Diccionario histórico-geográfico-descriptivo de los pueblos, valles, partidos, alcaldías y uniones de Guipúzcoa. 1862
Archivo General de Guipúzcoa. Sección de Protocolos. 1722
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
wolfReward from long service and hard work
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
wolfReward from long service and hard work
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
