Coats of arms given to some branches of Centenos have similar characteristics, witch are the five garbs of rye spikes, per saltire. This are called "armes parlant" , in the sence that the motifs (rye spikes = centeno, in spanish) allegorize the meaning of the family name.

Different branches introduced different combinations of tinctures.

In Portugal, the coats of arms of Centenos are: Or, five garbs of rye spikes vert, per saltire. Crest: an eagle or(ANTT: Cartório da Nobreza, Lº 17, S-24). D. Lopo Centeno, who was born on Ávila, Spain, and came to Portugal, where he found a chapel on St. Francis church, Lisbon, also used this coats of arms.

Other version, with the same shild but different crest (two garbs per saltire) appears on this armories: "Livro de Armas do Senhor Dom Duarte" and "Brasonário da Nobreza de Portugal - Manuscrito Anónimo do Séc. XVII".

Some branches of Centenos from Spain use this shied: Vert, five garbs of rye spikes or, per saltire.  (B. N. Madrid: ms. 11.747)

The branch of Centenos from Ciudad Rodrigo, uses: Azure five garbs of rye spikes or, per saltire(Julián del Castillo: "História de los Reyes Godos", p. 471). A branch from Morón de la Frontera, Sevilha, also used this shield.

Other branches that went to the New World uses: Argent five garbs of rye spikes vert, per saltire (B. N. Madrid: ms. 11.773).

Click on images to enlarge:

Coat of Arms of Centeno 1 Coat of Arms of Centeno 2 Coat of Arms of Centeno 3 Coat of Arms of Centeno 4 Coat of Arms of Centeno 5