A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Sandoval family of Spain.
Reg. 4867 · Spanish, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
What the shield shows
A gold background with a black diagonal band across it.
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la bande de sa.”
Spainc. 1722
Where the Sandoval Arms Were Recorded
Castile
Map of Spain showing where the Sandoval arms are recorded
The Sandoval 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 Sandoval 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 Sandoval Family in Spain
Pronunciationsan-doh-VAL/sandoˈβal/
The surname Sandoval originates from the northern regions of the Iberian Peninsula, specifically within the historic Kingdom of Castile. The name is topographic in nature, derived from the Latin words "saltus," meaning a wooded area or forest, and "novalis," which refers to land that has been recently cleared for farming. By combining these terms, the name originally identified people who lived near a newly cultivated forest clearing. Over time, families living in these specific locations adopted the name to distinguish themselves from others in their community.
By the early 18th century, the Sandoval family was firmly established within the social and administrative structures of Castile. Records from 1722 show that members of the family were active participants in local governance and land management during this period. As the Spanish Empire expanded, many families from the Castilian heartland moved to different provinces to serve in administrative or military roles. This migration helped spread the name across various regions, turning a localized geographic identifier into a widespread family name that remains prominent today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Saltus Novalis
Latin for woodland or forest that has been newly cleared.
This name
SandovalA topographic name for someone who lived near a newly cleared forest area.
also spelled
Sandovall
Zandoval
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
García de Cortázar, José Ángel. La sociedad rural en la España medieval. 1988
Moll, Francesc de Borja. Els llinatges catalans. 1959
Archivo General de Simancas. Registro del Sello de Corte. 1722
Archivo de la Real Chancillería de Valladolid. Pleitos de Hidalguía. 1722
Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
