A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Sliva family of Portugal.
Reg. 6281 · Portuguese, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 d'azur au lion d'or, cour. du même; au 2 d'arg. à six tourt. d'azur, 2, 2 et 2; au 3 d'or à quatre fasces de gu.; au 4 de gu. à une tour d'or, surm. d'un soleil du même. Sur le tout d'or à l'aigle ép. de sa., la poitrine ch. d'un croiss. d'arg.; ledit surtout timbré d'une couronne impériale. S.: deux lions d'or, tenant chacun une bannière, celle à dextre d'arg. à une croix pattée et vidée de gu., celle à sen. d'or au chev. de sa., acc. de trois aigles du même.”
Portugalc. 1682
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Map of Portugal showing where the Sliva arms are recorded
The Sliva arms were recorded in Portugal, c. 1682.
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.
Afonso VI of Portugal
Sovereign of the period
Afonso VI of Portugal
1656–1683
Reigning in Portugal when the Sliva 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 Sliva Family in Portugal
The family name Sliva carries a rich history that likely traces its roots to the linguistic and cultural shifts of the Iberian Peninsula. While the name appears in records from Lisboa as early as 1682, it is often associated with the broader movement of families across European regions during the late seventeenth century. At that time, Lisboa was a bustling center of trade and migration, drawing people from diverse backgrounds who sought new opportunities in the capital city. Families bearing this name were part of the social fabric that helped shape the local community through their work and daily interactions. Over the generations, the name became established within the region, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of those who settled in the area. By studying these early records, we gain a clearer picture of how the family integrated into the urban life of Portugal during a period of significant historical change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Silva
Derived from the Latin word silva meaning forest or woodland.
This name
SlivaRefers to someone who lived near or worked in a forest or woodland area.
also spelled
Silva
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo, Registos Paroquiais da Cidade de Lisboa, 1682
Pimpão, Álvaro Júlio da Costa, A População de Lisboa no Século XVII, 1964
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
