Map of Portugal showing where the Tobar arms are recorded
The Tobar arms were recorded in Asturies, 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 Tobar 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 Tobar Family in Portugal
The surname Tobar is rooted in the linguistic landscape of the Iberian Peninsula, where it historically refers to a place characterized by wells or springs. While the name is often associated with regions in northern Spain, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Lisboa by 1706. During this period, the city served as a vibrant hub for trade and intellectual exchange, allowing families like the Tobars to integrate into the urban fabric of the Portuguese capital. As the family settled in this coastal environment, they likely engaged in the professional and social life of the city, contributing to the diverse cultural identity of the region. The movement of the family from rural origins toward major administrative centers reflects a broader trend of social mobility that defined many lineages during the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Toba
A Latin term referring to a type of volcanic rock or tufa.
This name
TobarA topographic surname for someone who lived near a tufa stone quarry.
also spelled
Tova
Tover
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo, Registos Paroquiais de Lisboa
Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino, Documentação Administrativa do Século XVIII
Piel, Joseph M., Nomes de lugar e de pessoa de origem pré-latina, 1948
Sanches de Baena, Visconde de, Archivo Heráldico-Genealógico, 1872
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
