A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Zapata family of Spain.
Reg. 0940 · Spanish
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
legStrength and swiftness
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 cinq bottines cont. échiquetées d'arg. et de sa., 2, 1 et 2; à la bord. de gu., ch. de huit écussons d'or, surch. chacun d'une bande d'azur.”
CastileCastile, 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 Zapata arms are recorded
The Zapata arms were recorded in Castile, c. 1722.
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 Zapata 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 Castile.
Origin & History of the Zapata Family in Spain
The surname Zapata has deep roots in the Iberian Peninsula, originating as a descriptive nickname for individuals who wore a specific type of footwear. In Old Spanish, the term referred to a type of shoe or boot, and it eventually became a hereditary name used to identify families across various regions of Spain. By the early 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Castile, which served as a central hub for Spanish history and administration. During this period, members of the Zapata family were active participants in the social and economic life of their communities, contributing to the development of local governance and agriculture. Their presence in Castile in 1722 reflects a long-standing tradition of families settling into specific provinces to build their legacies over many generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
zapat
A type of shoe or footwear of Arabic origin.
This name
ZapataAn occupational surname for a shoemaker or cobbler.
also spelled
Sapata
Zapatta
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Albaigès i Olivart, Josep Maria, Diccionario de nombres de personas, 1993
Moll, Francesc de B., Els llinatges catalans: Catalunya, País Valencià, Illes Balears, 1959
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro del Sello de Corte
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
legStrength and swiftness
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
legStrength and swiftness
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
