A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Reyes family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3890 · Spanish, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
What the shield shows
A blue background with a silver tower topped by three turrets, the middle one taller than the others and crowned in gold. The tower's door and windows show red. A red border runs round the edge, carrying four small silver crosses in the corners with four gold diagonal crosses between them.
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à une tour sommée de trois tourelles d'arg., celle du milieu plus élevée et surm. d'une couronne royale d'or; la tour ouv. et aj. de gu.; à la bord. de gu., ch. de quatre croisettes d'arg. dans les cantons, alternant avec quatre flanchis d'or.”
GaliciaLéon · Galicia, c. 1722
Where the Reyes Arms Were Recorded
Galicia
Map of Spain showing where the Reyes arms are recorded
The Reyes arms were recorded in Galicia, c. 1722.
Galicia was eastern country of large estates and small farming villages, held by families who had been there for a very long time. Land was what entitled a family to arms, and land there rarely changed hands.
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 Reyes 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 Galicia.
Origin & History of the Reyes Family in Spain
The surname Reyes is a patronymic name that originates from the Spanish word for kings. In medieval Spain, names like this were often given to people who lived near royal lands or served in the king’s household. It was also common for individuals to adopt the name to show loyalty to the monarchy. Because the name was tied to the concept of royalty, it spread across many different regions of the Iberian Peninsula as the kingdoms of Spain expanded.
By the early 18th century, the Reyes family had established a clear presence in the region of Galicia. This area in northwestern Spain has a unique history shaped by its Celtic roots and its location along the Atlantic coast. Families living in Galicia during this time were often involved in agriculture or maritime trade. Records from 1722 confirm that members of the Reyes family were settled in this region, living as part of the local community. These early ancestors helped build the foundation for the family name to continue through generations of Spanish history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
What the shield shows
A blue background with a chevron in ermine, the black-spotted white fur. A gold square sits in the top corner and a gold band runs diagonally across.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a chev. erm. a canton and bend or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Reyes Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Reyes arms are recorded
The Reyes arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Spain when the Reyes arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Reyes Family in England
The surname Reyes is of Spanish origin, derived from the word *reyes*, which means kings. While the name is deeply rooted in the Iberian Peninsula, its presence in England dates back to the early seventeenth century. By 1620, individuals bearing this name were beginning to appear in English records. These early arrivals were often part of the growing network of merchants, diplomats, and travelers who moved between Spain and England during a period of shifting political and religious alliances.
Life for these early settlers in England was defined by their status as foreigners in a society that was often suspicious of outsiders. Because the name Reyes was distinctly Spanish, those who carried it were frequently identified by their national origin in parish registers and legal documents. Over time, these families integrated into local communities, particularly in port cities like London where trade brought diverse groups together. Their history in England reflects the broader story of migration, as they navigated a new culture while maintaining the identity tied to their ancestral name.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
rex
King.
This name
ReyesThe kings.
also spelled
Reies
Reyez
Rayes
Reyis
Reyse
Related arms
Marquezsimilar arms
Masquefasimilar arms
Mugarrietasimilar arms
Alcarazrecorded with Reyes, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Faure, Roberto, Diccionario de apellidos españoles, 2001
Moll, Francesc de B., Els llinatges catalans, 1959
Archivo Histórico Nacional, Sección Nobleza
Archivo del Reino de Galicia, Protocolos Notariales
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towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
