Map of Spain showing where the Ovalle arms are recorded
The Ovalle 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 Ovalle 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 Ovalle Family in Spain
The surname Ovalle traces its roots to the northern regions of the Iberian Peninsula, specifically within the historical kingdom of Castile. During the early eighteenth century, the family established a notable presence in this area, as evidenced by records dating back to 1722. The name itself is topographical in origin, likely derived from the Spanish word "valle," which means valley. It is believed that the name was originally used to describe individuals who lived in or near a valley with an oval shape. As the family grew, members moved throughout the Spanish territories, eventually carrying the name across the Atlantic to the Americas during the colonial period. This migration helped the name transition from a local identifier in Castile to a recognized family line across various Spanish-speaking nations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ovalis
Latin term meaning egg-shaped or oval.
This name
OvalleA topographic name for someone who lived near an oval-shaped valley or depression.
also spelled
Oval
Ovallee
Ovall
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Moll, Francesc de Borja, Els llinatges catalans: Catalunya, País Valencià, Illes Balears, 1959
Pescador del Hoyo, María del Carmen, Los apellidos en España, 1997
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro General del Sello, 1722
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swordJustice, and military honour
swordJustice, and military honour
