Map of Spain showing where the Zavala arms are recorded
The Zavala 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 Zavala 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 Zavala Family in Spain
The surname Zavala originates from the Basque region of northern Spain and is derived from the Basque words "zabal," meaning wide or flat, and the suffix "a," which denotes a specific place. This suggests that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a prominent wide valley or an expansive field. By the early 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Castile. During this period, members of the family were often involved in local administration, land management, and the social structures of the Spanish crown. As the family grew, they moved across different provinces, carrying their name into various professional and civic roles that helped shape their identity within the historical landscape of Spain.
Zavala Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Zabal
Basque word meaning wide or broad.
This name
ZavalaA topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a wide or expansive place.
also spelled
Savala
Zavalla
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Mendizábal, Juan Carlos, Diccionario etimológico de apellidos vascos, 2005
Archivo General de Simancas, Registro del Sello de Corte, 1722
Faure, Roberto, Diccionario de apellidos españoles, 2009
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
