Map of Spain showing where the Schanz arms are recorded
The Schanz arms were recorded in Aragon, c. 1722.
Aragon was mountain and river country in north-eastern Spain, with a strong tradition of small independent landholders. A great many families counted as gentry there, and each one needed a shield to be told apart.
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 Schanz 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 Aragon.
Origin & History of the Schanz Family in Spain
The surname Schanz is rooted in the German language, where it originally functioned as a topographic name for someone who lived near a defensive wall or an earthwork fortification. The word itself is derived from the Middle High German term *schanze*, which refers to a trench or a protective barrier used during military operations. While the name is Germanic in origin, the family history took a significant turn when members settled in the Kingdom of Aragon by 1722. During this period, the region was a bustling center of trade and cultural exchange, and families with specialized skills often migrated across European borders to serve in administrative or military capacities. By moving into the Spanish territories, the Schanz family integrated their northern European heritage into the complex social fabric of the Iberian Peninsula, marking a transition from their origins as builders of defenses to becoming established residents in a new cultural landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Schanze
A German term referring to a defensive fortification or trench.
This name
SchanzAn occupational or topographic name for someone living near a defensive earthwork or fortification.
also spelled
Sans
Sance
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Archivo de la Corona de Aragón, Real Audiencia de Aragón, Serie de Procesos, 1722
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
wingSwiftness, and protection under a raised wing
