Map of Spain showing where the Ravas arms are recorded
The Ravas arms were recorded in Biscaye, 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 Ravas 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 Ravas Family in Spain
The family name Ravas finds its historical roots in the rugged landscape of Biscay, a province in the Basque Country of northern Spain. By the year 1722, records confirm that members of the family were firmly established within this region, which was known for its distinct language and maritime traditions. During this era, families in Biscay often lived in close-knit rural communities where they focused on farming, ironworking, or seafaring activities. The name likely evolved from local dialects spoken in the region, reflecting the unique cultural identity of the Basque people. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the Basque provinces, contributing to the local economy and the long-standing traditions of the area. This early presence in Biscay highlights a deep connection to a region defined by its independence and its historic role in European trade and navigation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Raba
Latin term referring to a turnip or a root vegetable.
This name
RavasA topographic or occupational surname likely denoting a person who cultivated or sold turnips.
also spelled
Ryvas
Rivass
Rivaz
Reevas
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivo Histórico Eclesiástico de Bizkaia, Libros Sacramentales de la Anteiglesia de San Salvador del Valle, 1722
Gorosabel, Pablo de, Diccionario histórico-geográfico-descriptivo de los pueblos, valles, partidos, alcaldías y uniones de Guipúzcoa, 1862
Caro Baroja, Julio, Los vascos, 1949
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