A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Pryor family of Spain.
Reg. 6440 · Spanish, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
ermineDignity and rank
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Parti: au 1 de gu. au lion d'or, la tête sommée d'une croisette du même; au 2 coupé: a. d'arg. à un rocher sommé d'un chardonneret, au nat.; b. de sin. à un fer-à-cheval d'or, cloué de sa. L'écu entouré d'une bord. d'arg., ch. de huit mouch. d'herm. de sa.”
Spainc. 1722
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Map of Spain showing where the Pryor arms are recorded
The Pryor 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 Pryor 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 Pryor Family in Spain
The family name Pryor carries a rich history that likely stems from the medieval title of a prior, which was a high-ranking official in a monastery. In many European regions, names were often adopted based on a person’s occupation or their connection to a specific religious house. By the early 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Castile, Spain. Records confirm that members of the family were living there by 1722, suggesting they were part of the social and administrative fabric of the area during that period. Over time, the name spread across borders as families migrated for trade, military service, or new opportunities, eventually becoming a recognized surname in various parts of the world.
Pryor Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Prior
Latin term for one who is first or a superior.
This name
PryorAn occupational name for someone who served as the head of a monastery.
also spelled
Pryor
Pryer
Prier
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro del Sello de Corte
Archivo Histórico Nacional, Sección Nobleza
Moll, Francesc de Borja, Els llinatges catalans: Catalunya, País Valencià i Illes Balears, 1959
Faure, Roberto, Diccionario de apellidos españoles, 2001
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
ermineDignity and rank
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
horseshoeGood fortune and protection from harm
ermineDignity and rank
lionCourage, strength and royalty
