A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Zavalza family of France.
Reg. 3842 · French
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'or à un arbre de sin., et un sanglier pass. de sa., br. sur le pied du fût; au 2 d'arg. à trois fasces de gu.; au 3 d'azur à trois coquilles d'arg.”
NavarreNavarre, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Zavalza arms are recorded
The Zavalza arms were recorded in Navarre, c. 1663.
Navarre was mountain country straddling the Pyrenees, with a strong class of small independent landholders. A great many households counted as gentry there, and each needed a shield to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Zavalza arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Navarre.
Origin & History of the Zavalza Family in France
The family name Zavalza traces its roots to the rugged and mountainous region of Navarre in northern Spain. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this area, which was known for its unique Basque cultural heritage. The name itself is closely linked to the Basque language, likely originating from words describing the local landscape or a specific place where early ancestors lived. Families in this region often identified themselves by their ancestral homes or the small villages where they held land. During the seventeenth century, the Zavalza family would have been part of a tight-knit rural society that valued local traditions and deep connections to the land. This history reflects the broader movement of families in Navarre who maintained their distinct identity through centuries of regional change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Zabal
Basque word meaning wide or broad.
This name
ZavalzaRefers to someone who lived near a wide or expansive piece of land.
also spelled
Sabalza
Zabalsa
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Caro Baroja, Julio. Los vascos. 1971
Archivo General de Navarra. Sección de Tribunales Reales, Procesos Judiciales. 1663
Mikelarena Peña, Fernando. Demografía y familia en la Navarra del Antiguo Régimen. 1995
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
