A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Souto family of Spain.
Reg. 2018 · Spanish, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 à l'aigle de sa., acc. en chef de deux fleurs-de-lis d'or et en p. de trois calices du même, rangés en fasce; au 2 d'or à trois cadenas de sa., l'anneau ouvert, 2 et 1; au 3 d'or à deux cadenas de sa., l'anneau ouvert, l'un sur l'au-”
AndalusiaAndalusia, 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 Souto arms are recorded
The Souto arms were recorded in Andalusia, c. 1722.
Andalusia was the last part of Spain taken back from the Moors, and the land was shared out among the men who took it. A grant of land came with a grant of arms, so the region produced a great many.
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 Souto 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 Andalusia.
Origin & History of the Souto Family in Spain
The surname Souto is a topographic name that originated in the northwestern regions of the Iberian Peninsula. It is derived from the Latin word saltus, which refers to a wooded area or a grove. Families who lived near these distinct patches of forest often adopted the name to identify their place of residence. By the early 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in Andalusia, particularly by 1722. During this period, the movement of families from the northern territories toward the southern provinces was common due to shifts in land distribution and agricultural opportunities. As these individuals settled in new regions, they carried their ancestral name with them, helping it transition from a simple description of a landscape into a permanent family identifier that persisted across generations.
Souto Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
saltus
Latin term for a wooded area, forest, or mountain pass.
This name
SoutoA topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a forest or a wooded area.
also spelled
Zoto
Sotto
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Moll, Francesc de B., Els llinatges catalans, 1959
Piel, Joseph M., Os nomes de lugar: estudo de toponímia portuguesa, 1989
Archivo Histórico Nacional, Sección Nobleza, 1722
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
