A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Zaldivar family of Spain.
Reg. 6298 · Spanish
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
horseReadiness to serve king and country
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. à deux chevaux, bridés et sellés, l'un sur l'autre, acc. en p. des mots: ZALDIZ ERA ONEZ (A cheval et à pied), rangés en fasce, le tout d'arg.”
SpainGuipuzcoa, c. 1722
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Map of Spain showing where the Zaldivar arms are recorded
The Zaldivar arms were recorded in Guipuzcoa, c. 1722.
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 Zaldivar 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 Zaldivar Family in Spain
The surname Zaldivar originates from the Basque Country in northern Spain, specifically within the province of Guipuzcoa. The name is derived from the Basque words "zaldi," meaning horse, and "ibar," meaning valley or meadow. This suggests that the earliest members of the family likely lived in a valley known for breeding horses or a location where horses grazed. By the early 18th century, the family was well-established in this region, as evidenced by records from 1722 documenting their presence and community involvement. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric of the Basque mountains, maintaining strong ties to their ancestral lands before many members eventually migrated to other parts of Spain and the Americas.
Zaldivar Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Saldi-ibar
Basque words for willow tree and riverbank or valley.
This name
ZaldivarA topographic name referring to a location near a willow-lined riverbank.
also spelled
Saldivia
Zaldivie
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Gorrotxategi, Mikel. Nombres de familia en el País Vasco. 2008
Mendizabal, Juan. Historia de los linajes de Guipúzcoa. 1995
Archivo General de Guipúzcoa. Catálogo de documentos notariales de la provincia. 1722
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
horseReadiness to serve king and country
horseReadiness to serve king and country
