Map of Spain showing where the Peralta arms are recorded
The Peralta 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 Spain when the Peralta 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 Peralta Family in Spain
The surname Peralta finds its roots in the northern regions of the Iberian Peninsula, specifically within the Kingdom of Navarre. The name is locative, meaning it was originally derived from a specific place, likely the town of Peralta in Navarre, which takes its name from the Latin words "petra alta" or "high rock." As the Reconquista progressed and the influence of the Castilian crown expanded, families bearing this name migrated southward. By the early eighteenth century, the Peralta family had established a documented presence in the heart of Castile. During this period, the family integrated into the social and administrative structures of the region, participating in the local economic life that defined the Castilian landscape. Their transition from the rugged northern territories to the central plains of Spain reflects the broader movement of families who helped shape the cultural and historical identity of the Spanish interior during the colonial era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à un griffon d'or; à la bord. du premier, ch. de huit flanchis du sec.”
NavarreNavarre, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Peralta arms are recorded
The Peralta arms were recorded in Navarre, c. 1663.
Navarre was mountain country straddling the Pyrenees, with a strong class of small independent landholders. A great many households counted as gentry there, and each needed a shield to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Spain when the Peralta arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Navarre.
Origin & History of the Peralta Family in France
The family name Peralta finds its roots in the rugged borderlands between France and Spain, specifically within the historic Kingdom of Navarre. While the name is often associated with Spanish geography, the movement of people across the Pyrenees mountains meant that families bearing this name were deeply integrated into the cultural and political life of the region by the mid-seventeenth century. Records from 1663 confirm that members of the Peralta family were well-established in Navarre, serving as a bridge between the distinct traditions of the French Basque country and the neighboring Spanish territories. During this era, families like the Peraltas often held roles as local administrators or landowners, which required them to navigate the complex legal systems of both French and Spanish jurisdictions. Their presence in this area highlights a long history of cross-border migration where families moved fluidly between kingdoms to manage estates or pursue new opportunities. This early history reflects a time when identity was defined more by local community ties than by modern national borders.
Peralta Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Petra
Latin term for rock or stone.
This name
PeraltaDerived from a topographic location meaning high rock or steep cliff.
also spelled
Peraltta
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Mendiburu, Manuel de. Diccionario histórico-biográfico del Perú. 1874
Pescador del Hoyo, María del Carmen. Apellidos en España. 1997
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
