Map of Portugal showing where the Silveira arms are recorded
The Silveira arms were recorded in Portugal, c. 1706.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Lisboa.
Lisbon was the seat of the Portuguese crown and the port its wealth came through. Families made rich by trade and by service to the king took arms, and the crown's heralds recorded them there.
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 Portugal in this period.
Peter II of Portugal
Sovereign of the period
Peter II of Portugal
1683–1706
Reigning in Portugal when the Silveira arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Portugal
In Portugal, a coat of arms was a family possession that passed from a father to his children. Every legitimate descendant had the right to use the family shield without needing to change it. Younger branches of the family kept the original design, though they sometimes added small symbols to distinguish their specific line from the main branch.
Granting authority
The Cartório da Nobreza acted as the official body that managed and regulated noble titles and coats of arms in Portugal.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms through bloodline, though they could also receive new grants from the crown for distinguished service.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the books of the Cartório da Nobreza starting in the year 1512.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Portugal.
Origin & History of the Silveira Family in Portugal
The surname Silveira is a topographic name that originates from the Portuguese word silva, which refers to a forest or a thicket of brambles. Historically, this name was given to families who lived near dense wooded areas or wild, overgrown landscapes. By the early 18th century, the Silveira family had established a notable presence in the city of Lisboa. During this period, the family was integrated into the urban life of the Portuguese capital, which served as a major hub for trade and administration. Their residence in Lisboa during 1706 suggests that they were part of the growing demographic of citizens contributing to the social and economic development of the city during the reign of King João V. Over time, the name spread throughout the Portuguese-speaking world, carried by individuals who moved from these urban centers to other regions and overseas territories.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Silva
Latin term for a forest, woodland, or wild area.
This name
SilveiraA topographic name for someone who lived near or worked in a forest.
also spelled
Silveira
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
António Machado de Faria, Armorial Lusitano: Genealogia e Heráldica, 1961
José Pedro Machado, Dicionário Onomástico Etimológico da Língua Portuguesa, 1981
Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo, Registos Paroquiais de Lisboa, 1706
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
