A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Sills family of Spain.
Reg. 4752 · Spanish, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Parti: au 1 de sin. à une tour d'arg., sommée de trois tourelles du même, celle du milieu plus élevée, et posée sur une terrasse rocheuse au nat.; au 2 d'or à un arbre de sin., accosté de deux lévriers pass. au nat., celui à sen. cont., enchainés au fût de l'arbre: le tout soutenu d'une terrasse de sin.”
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 Sills arms are recorded
The Sills 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 Sills 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 Sills Family in Spain
The family name Sills carries a rich history that likely traces its roots to the linguistic shifts occurring in medieval Europe. While the name is often associated with English origins as a variation of names like Silvester or Silas, the presence of the family in Castile by 1722 suggests a fascinating history of migration and adaptation. During the early eighteenth century, Castile was a central region of Spain, and families living there were often deeply involved in the agricultural or administrative life of the Spanish heartland. The name may have evolved as these individuals moved across borders, blending their original heritage with the local Spanish culture. This movement across European regions was common for families seeking new opportunities in trade or land management during the Enlightenment era. By establishing themselves in Castile, these early ancestors became part of a long tradition of families who moved throughout the continent to build new lives while maintaining their distinct identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Silvius
Derived from the Latin word for forest or woods.
This name
SillsA habitational name for someone who lived near a forest or wooded area.
also spelled
Silloss
Siloss
Silosse
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivo de la Real Chancillería de Valladolid, Registro de Ejecutorias, 1722
Menéndez Pidal, Ramón, Manual de gramática histórica española, 1904
Smith, Elsdon C., American Surnames, 1969
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
