A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Vargas family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5294 · Spanish, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 d'or à un arbre de sin., et un chien d'arg., pass. devant le fût; au 2 d'azur à un senestrochère, arm. d'arg., mouv. du flanc, tenant une lance d'arg.”
Spainc. 1722
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Map of Spain showing where the Vargas arms are recorded
The Vargas arms were recorded in Spain, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Castile.
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 Vargas 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 Spain.
Origin & History of the Vargas Family in Spain
The surname Vargas originates from the rugged landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula, specifically emerging from the northern regions of Castile. The name is topographic in nature, derived from the Spanish word "vargas," which refers to steep hillsides or pastures that become marshy during the rainy season. By the time the family was firmly established in the records of Castile in 1722, the name had already been associated with families who lived near these specific types of terrain for generations. During this era, the Vargas family was part of a society deeply influenced by the agricultural and feudal structures of the Spanish heartland. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local administrative and social fabric of the Castilian provinces, reflecting the broader movement of people across the Spanish interior during the eighteenth century. Their history is a testament to the way surnames often acted as a map, linking families directly to the specific geography they called home.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à cinq fasces ondées d'azur; à une bord. comp. de gu. et d'arg., chaque compon de gu. ch. d'une tour d'or sommée de trois tourelles du même (Castille) et chaque compon d'arg. ch. d'un lion de gu. (Léon). C.: un lion léopardé d'azur, chargé de cinq fasces ondées d'arg.”
Portugalc. 1706
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Map of Portugal showing where the Vargas arms are recorded
The Vargas 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 Spain when the Vargas 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 Vargas Family in Portugal
The surname Vargas has deep roots in the Iberian Peninsula, and its presence in Portugal reflects the movement of families across the region during the medieval and early modern periods. While the name is often associated with Spanish origins, historical records confirm that members of the Vargas family were well-established in Lisbon by 1706. During this era, Lisbon was a bustling center of trade and royal administration, making it a common destination for families seeking to advance their social and economic standing. Families with this name often integrated into the urban life of the capital, working in roles that supported the growing bureaucracy of the Portuguese Empire. By the early 18th century, the family had become part of the city's social fabric, contributing to the local community during a time of significant architectural and cultural growth following the restoration of the Portuguese throne.
Vargas Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Varga
A slope, hillside, or a fenced pasture area.
This name
VargasRefers to someone who lived on or near a hillside or a fenced enclosure.
also spelled
Bargas
Vargaz
Vargass
Related arms
Coallarecorded with Vargas, same area
Ramirezrecorded with Vargas, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
García Carraffa, Alberto and Arturo, Enciclopedia heráldica y genealógica hispano-americana, 1919
Moll, Francesc de Borja, Els llinatges catalans, 1959
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro del Sello de Corte, 1722
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
