José Manuel Huidobro. Key Heraldic and Nobiliary Publications

 

These works emphasize the historical role, contributions, and everyday relevance of the non-titled nobility (hidalgos and damas of blood or privilege) in Spain and related territories, often challenging stereotypes of idle or purely titled aristocrats. Many include biographical sketches of notable figures across military, religious, political, scientific, artistic, and other fields. He is a vocal of the Real Asociación de Hidalgos de España and holds related academic and chivalric affiliations.

All these books are available via Vision Libros, Amazon, Casa del Libro, and other retailers. He frequently discusses them in interviews (e.g., RNE5 “El pasado ya no es loque era” with David Zurdo) and lectures at associations and congresses on genealogy, heraldry, and nobility.

Here is a chronological overview of the main ones:

• Heráldica y Numismática en España (2015, Liber Factory; ~170 pages, ISBN 978-84-9949-711-2). An introductory, non-academic work exploring the close relationship between heraldry and coinage/seals/banknotes in Spain from the Reconquista through the Austrias, Bourbons (including American issues), Republics, Franco era, and modern democracy under Juan Carlos I and Felipe VI. It highlights visual transmission of heraldic symbols via currency.
• Cien hidalgos clave en la historia de España: Sin ellos, todo hubiera sido diferente (2020, Vision Libros; 406 pages, ISBN 978-84-18158-95-7). Profiles 100 key hidalgos (mostly men) who shaped Spanish history in diverse fields. Includes an overview of the noble estate, classes of hidalguía, privileges, social status over time, literature, Indies specifics, collective/universal hidalguías, proofs of nobility, and the modern situation of nobility. Drawn from broader research identifying ~1,100 such figures.
• Ni reinas ni princesas. Insignes damas de la nobleza no titulada (2022, Vision Libros; 330 pages, ISBN 978-84-18678-77-6). Continuation focusing on ~55 women of the non-titled nobility who played significant societal roles from the 15th–20th centuries across various spheres. Complements the previous book’s limited coverage of women.
• Presencia de la nobleza no titulada en la historia de España (2022, JMHM Autoedición/Vision Libros; 592 pages, ISBN 978-84-09-43634-7). Completes a trilogy on hidalguía. Features prominent non-titled nobles of blood and their life circumstances; includes a classified list of ~1,300 hidalgos (military, conquistadors, religious, political, writers, artists, etc.).
• Rescatados del Olvido: Personajes peculiares de la baja nobleza (2023, Vision Libros; ~512 pages in one listing). Extends the series by highlighting 66 more obscure or peculiar hidalgos (60 men and 6 women) known for unusual or distinctive deeds, rather than the most famous figures. Reinforces the active historical contributions of the lower nobility.
• La Heráldica desconocida. Escudos en la vida cotidiana (2024, Vision Libros; ~332 pages, ISBN 978-84-10039-69-8). Explores heraldry as a living art still in widespread use (new grants annually for people, institutions, and companies), beyond traditional gentilic or municipal arms. Eleven chapters cover curiosities in numismatics, sports (e.g., First Division shields), automobile brands, luxury goods, food/drink (e.g., wine bottles), universities, autonomous communities, religious and military contexts, and more—showing its modern presence in logos and daily life in Spain and elsewhere.
• 100 Hidalgos Americanos: Descendientes de conquistadores y emigrantes (2025, Vision Libros; ~324 pages, ISBN 978-84-129340-8-3 or similar). Continues the hidalgos theme for the Americas (territories of the former Spanish Empire). After an introduction to nobility in the New World and independence leaders, it profiles 100 American-born hidalgos (91 men, 9 women; 16th–20th centuries) of peninsular, creole, or mixed parentage who stood out in military, religious, political, business, literary, or artistic fields. Notes that many descendants remain unaware of this status due to lack of modern privileges.

• La nobleza no titulada en Europa. Estructura, funciones y personajes destacados (2026, Vision Libros; ~394 pages, ISBN 979-13-88065-15-6). Analyzes the structure, functions, and key figures of non-titled nobility across Europe, emphasizing its economic, social, and political roles beyond titled elites.

Related earlier or collaborative items include Carlos V y la Orden de Malta (2020) and contributions such as Compendio de estudios genealógicos y heráldicos de Jaén (2018).

Forthcoming publication: Genealogy Handbook. This book is a practical and up-to-date guide for confidently entering the fascinating world of genealogy. From the first steps with family documents to research in parish, municipal, military, and notarial archives, the reader will learn to work methodically, evaluate evidence critically, and organize their findings effectively. They will also discover how to leverage digital tools and understand the role of DNA and AI in contemporary research.

His approach is largely divulgative—accessible biographies and overviews rather than purely academic treatises—while grounded in his doctoral work in law (nobiliary focus) and master’s in nobiliary law, heraldry, and genealogy. For the most current details or purchases, check his website or major booksellers.

Huidobro is a prolific author with 74+ books (and some prologued works). The majority (around 60+) cover telecommunications topics—networks, services, radiocommunications, history of telecom in Spain, mobile telephony, internet, etc.—published by houses such as Paraninfo, McGraw-Hill, Ra-Ma, and COIT.

In later years he has focused heavily on heraldry, genealogy, and the non-titled nobility (hidalgos and lower nobility). Notable works in this area include titles on key hidalgos in Spanish history, women of the non-titled nobility, presence of the non-titled nobility, Rescatados del Olvido (peculiar figures of the lower nobility), and La Heráldica Desconocida (2024), which explores lesser-known uses of heraldry in areas such as sports, brands, numismatics, religion, and the military.

He holds memberships and roles in relevant associations, including the Real Asociación de Hidalgos de España and Orden de Caballería del Santo Sepulcro de Jerusalén, various heraldic and genealogical academies, the Maestranza de Caballería de San Fernando, and several orders of chivalry.

His personal website is huidobro.es, which details his profile, books, and articles.