A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Riquelme family of Spain.
Reg. 9755 · Spanish, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
helmetWisdom and security in defence
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 casque d'arg., liséré d'or, posé de profil, la visière baissée, panaché de trois pl. d'aut. d'arg., de sin. et d'or; et un bras, arm. d'arg., mouv. du canton sen. du chef, la main de carn. empoignant le panache.”
CataloniaMurcie · Catalonia, c. 1722
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Map of Spain showing where the Riquelme arms are recorded
The Riquelme arms were recorded in Catalonia, c. 1722.
Catalonia lived by sea trade, and its merchant houses were as powerful as its landowners. Both sorts of family took arms, and Barcelona kept records of the houses entitled to bear them.
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 Riquelme 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 Catalonia.
Origin & History of the Riquelme Family in Spain
The Riquelme family name has deep roots in the Iberian Peninsula, with historical evidence placing its members in the Catalonia region by the early 18th century. The name is believed to be of Germanic origin, likely derived from the ancient name Richelm, which combines the words for power and protection. As families moved across Spain during the medieval and early modern periods, the name evolved through various regional dialects before settling into its current form. By 1722, the Riquelme name was well-established among local populations, often associated with families who held land or participated in the administrative life of their communities. These early ancestors were part of a broader social transition in Catalonia, where families began to solidify their identities through written records and local parish documentation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Richelme
A Germanic name composed of elements meaning powerful and helmet or protection.
This name
RiquelmeA toponymic surname derived from a place in Spain, signifying a powerful protector.
also spelled
Riquelma
Rikelme
Riquel
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Moll, Francesc de Borja, Els llinatges catalans, 1959
Alcover, Antoni Maria, Diccionari català-valencià-balear, 1962
Archivo de la Corona de Aragón, Registros de la Real Cancillería
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
helmetWisdom and security in defence
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
helmetWisdom and security in defence
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
