In Brazil, members of the noble class were entitled to bear coats of arms. The Portuguese kings rewarded persons who performed a heroic deed, attained notable achievement, or held a prominent position in government by granting them a noble title and the right to use a coat of arms. These grants were documented.

Various authors in Brazil have prepared heraldry books. Heraldry books give descriptions of coats of arms and some information on the first person to bear it. It may briefly describe the person’s entitlement to that coat of arms. It may also note early bearers of that coat of arms, sometimes with relationships, birth dates, and other genealogical information. Each armorial (a book on heraldry) will differ from others and will include different names. The following sources are of particular interest in Brazil: