Hi! I went down a little bunny hole about that family crest shown for Ramos. The only thing that I could not find for certain as a symbol meaning was that bed of nails looking thing. I was unable to learn the proper designation of that symbol, so I could not look it up in the heraldic sources I looked at. Perhaps someone is more versed in heraldry and can help us out here.
I also found a quick thumbnail of the Ramos family history.
So - here you have it:
https://www.hallofnames.org.uk/heraldry-symbols-what-they-mean
Castle
In heraldry, the castle has often been granted to one who has faithfully held a castle for his sovereign, or who has captured on by force or stratagem.
The castle signifies spiritual power and vigilance on the watch as well as home and safety. The tower is very similar to this and is an emblem of grandeur and society.
It is a symbol of defence and of a steadfast individual.
The visual difference between a tower and a castle is that a tower is a single column topped by a turret, and a castle usually has two towers joined by a wall with a door in it. This was a distinction that was rarely observed in ancient days, but now it is faithfully adhered to. When smaller towers surmount either a castle or a tower it is called ‘triple-towered’.
ANOTHER MEANING OF CASTLE (Rook)
Chess-rook
A chess-rook is also called a castle, and may have been granted to those who had captured or defended castles.
It may also have denoted one who was skilful in influencing others to act to his own benefit, as the chess player moves his pieces in the game.
It is an ancient bearing in heraldry and it also occurs quite frequently. It is a device used by the Earls of Rochford.
Feathers
Feathers are a very common charge in heraldry, which is not surprising considering that during a tournament helmets were more frequently ornamented with feathers than with family crests.
Consequently, the plume became the actual, inheritable family crest for many families. Feathers signify willing obedience and serenity of mind.
A plume is a term usually reserved for a grouping of five or more feathers. If they are arranged in two rows it is called a double plume, and in three a triple plume, etc.
The feathers commonly used were ostrich feathers, though on crests they can appear in many shapes and colours’ for example, the badge worn by John of Gaunt was an ermine ostrich feather.
Peacock continental heraldry feathers often adorn the sides of crests as well as appear as more central charges.
When a feather is crossed at the quill by a scroll of parchment it is called an escrol. The is the device that appears on the shields of the Edward the Black Prince, the son and heir of King Edward III, who bore three escrols on a field of black.
Three feathers encircled by a coronet is the current badge of the Prince of Wales, as it has been since the time of Henry VIII.
LEAVES - Not sure which kind are depicted on the Ramos shield we are looking at.
Laurel
In ancient times, Laurel leaves were thought to be remedies against poison, as well as tokens of peace and quiet.
Laurels were also symbol of victory in heraldry, first given to the winners in the early Olympic Games and later born by the conquerors such as Julius Caesar. They are symbolic of triumph and fame, especially when it is gained after a long, inner struggle.
Sprigs of laurel and laurel branches are also common heraldic symbols.
Oak Leaves
Oak leaves are religious symbols of faith and endurance in heraldry.
HELMETS
Helmet, (fr. casque, old fr. heaume, but applied to a close helmet): the covering for protection of the head in warfare has varied in form from the earliest ages onwards, but an account of the various shapes belongs to the history of armour.
In heraldry the Helmet assumed an important place as an appendage to the shield, for on this was fixed the crest(q.v.). Originally there seems to have been no special distinction as regards the forms of the helmet; they simply followed the customary shape of the period, and were drawn sideways; but in Elizabeth’s reign it would appear that certain kinds of helmets were assigned to different degrees of nobility.
... III. Baronets’ and knights’ helmet were to be affronty and open, but supplied with a visor. They are supposed to be formed of steel ornamented with gilding, and usually lined with crimson.
The French timbre includes the helmet and all that belongs to it. For the appurtenances it is supposed we are indebted to the tournaments, and they consist of the crest, the wreath, the supporters, the mantle, ribbons or feathers, and the scroll.
It should be added that helmets are seldom, if ever, found over the shields of bishops(except over that of the Bishop of Durham, to represent his temporal dignity), the mitre taking its place; or over that of women, except in the case of a sovereign. More than one helmet may be placed over the same shield, but it is rare.
Helmets, however, are also occasionally borne as charges, and generally the esquire’s or close helmet is intended. In blazoning, however, there is frequently a reference to the visor(fr. viziere, or garde vizure), or beaver(old fr. beauvoir); the modern fr. mezail is also used. When this is up it is supposed to be a knight’s helmet, when down an esquire’s.
The portion which rests upon the shoulders, and protects the neck, is termed the gorged.
The helmet has sometimes plumes of feathers(q.v.)....
THE SQUARE THING WITH NAILS IN IT
I was unable to find the proper heraldic designation for this symbol. The closest I got was “Portcullis” but the structure is not right for that.
I found the image, but again could not find its name designation:
https://www.heraldsnet.org/saitou/parker/gallery/Page0011.html
Shows the bed of nails symbol found on Ramos coat of arms, but does not name it as a heraldic divice. It is closest to a portcullis, but isn’t that. -
https://www.heraldsnet.org/saitou/parker/images/m308b.gif
If it even IS a portcullis, here is a little about that:
Portcullis
A portcullis is a great, barred, iron gate with spikes on the bottom, suspended over the main gate of a castle to be dropped before enemies could invade the castle.
In heraldry, it signifies an effective protection in emergency, as it was used to guard the entrance to the fortress and could be suddenly lowered against a surprise attack, when there was no time to raise the drawbridge or close the weighty doors.
Borne on a shield, a portcullis usually indicates that the bearer is a great defender in an emergency. In some cases it indicates that the original bearer operated the portcullis in a fort. It is the well-known badge of the Royal House of Tudor. It is drawn points down with chains attached to its upper corners, though the disposition of the chains is a matter left to the artist.
[The thing shown on the Ramos shield, DOES have the loops for the chains, so it could very well be a form of portcullis. If those spikes were pointing outward from the entrance, it would not be very friendly to horses and soldiers seeking entrance.]
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Ramos Coat of Arms and family history
https://www.houseofnames.com/ramos-family-crest
From the historical and enchanting region of Spain emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Ramos family. Originally, the Spanish people were known only by a single name. The process by which hereditary surnames were adopted in Spain is extremely interesting. Surnames evolved during the Middle Ages when people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. Often they adopted names that were derived from nicknames. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name.
Early Origins of the Ramos family
The surname Ramos was first found in Castile, a region of north-central Spain.
Early History of the Ramos family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ramos research.
Another 375 words (27 lines of text) covering the years 1203, 1440, 1522, and 1678 are included under the topic Early Ramos History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Ramos Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Ramos, Ramis, Ramo, Rama, Ramas, Rams, Ramón and many more.
Early Notables of the Ramos family (pre 1700)
Notable bearers of the family name Ramos were Bartolomé Ramos de Pareja (c.1440-1522), Spanish mathematician, music theorist, and composer; Francisco Ramos del Manzano, created Count of Francos in...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ramos Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Ramos family to the New World and Oceana
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Ramos Settlers in United States in the 16th Century
Cristóbal Ramos, who sailed to America in 1511
Gonzalo Ramos, who sailed to America in 1512
Jerónimo Ramos, who sailed to Cartagena in 1535
Alonso Ramos, who sailed to Cartagena in 1535
Benito Ramos, who sailed to Río de la Plata in 1535
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Ramos Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Jose Ramos, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1803 [1]
Miguel Ramos, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1803 [1]
Santiago Ramos, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1803 [1]
Cristobal Ramos, who landed in America in 1811 [1]
Pedro Ramos, who arrived in America in 1812 [1]
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Ramos Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
Antonio Ramos, who landed in Alabama in 1927 [1]
Contemporary Notables of the name Ramos (post 1700)
Rafael Ramos (1974-2014), American New York police officer shot and killed while on duty by Ismaaiyl Abdullah Brinsley
Mel Ramos (b. 1935), American painter
Kenneth Ramos, American scientist, Professor in the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Louisville
Joseph Steven Ramos, American artist and educator
John Salias Ramos, American artist responsible for the Los Angeles Olympic Commemorative Painting
Carlos Ramos Jr., American Democrat politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 2008 [2]
Benjamin Ramos, American Democrat politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1996 [2]
Augustine Ramos, American Democrat politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1980 [2]
Anibal Ramos, American Democrat politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Jersey, 2008 [2]
Angel Ramos, American Democrat politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Idaho, 2004 [2]
... (Another 33 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Historic Events for the Ramos family
Halifax Explosion
Mr. Antonia Ramos, British Fireman and Trimmer aboard the SS Picton from who died in the explosion [3]
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Part of this entry is in Spanish - some in English
MEANINGS
https://coadb.com/surnames/ramos-arms.html
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