A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Santillan family of Spain.
Reg. 1723 · Spanish, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à une tour sommée de trois tourelles d'azur, celle du milieu plus élevée; à la bord. de gu., ch. de huit écussons d'or, surch. chacun d'une bande de sa.”
CastileCastile, c. 1722
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Spain showing where the Santillan arms are recorded
The Santillan arms were recorded in Castile, c. 1722.
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 Santillan 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 Castile.
Origin & History of the Santillan Family in Spain
The surname Santillan is a topographical name that originated in the northern regions of the Iberian Peninsula. It is derived from the combination of the word "santo," meaning saint, and "illan," which refers to Saint Julian. Families bearing this name were historically tied to the village of Santillana del Mar in the province of Cantabria, where the name first appeared in medieval records. By the early 18th century, members of the Santillan family had established a firm presence in the region of Castile. During this period, the family was often associated with land ownership and local administration, reflecting the broader migration of northern families into the Castilian heartland as the kingdom expanded its influence. These early ancestors played a role in the social fabric of their communities, leaving behind records of their births, marriages, and property holdings that confirm their deep roots in the Spanish landscape by 1722.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sancti Iuliani
Derived from the Latin phrase meaning Saint Julian.
This name
SantillanA topographic or habitational name referring to a place dedicated to Saint Julian.
also spelled
Santillano
Santillane
Santillain
Santilan
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Moll, Francesc de Borja, Els llinatges catalans, 1959
Pescador del Hoyo, María del Carmen, Archivo de la Real Chancillería de Valladolid: Sección de Hidalguía, 1970
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro del Sello de Corte, 1722
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
