Alférez (rank)

Alférez or alferes is a junior officer rank in the militaries of some Hispanophone and Lusophone countries.

This article is about the modern military rank. For the medieval court officer, see Alférez.

The name originates from al-fāris (Arabic: الفارس), meaning "the knight", "the horseman" or "the cavalryman". However, today the rank is often translated as ensign, sub-lieutenant or second lieutenant.

The rank was first used by Iberian armies during the reconquista in the Middle Ages, being associated to the officer responsible for the carrying of a unit flag. During that time alférez was the leader of the retinue of a king or high-ranking nobleman. The famous warrior El Cid was the alférez of King Alfonso VI of Castile and Alfonso Núñez was the alférez of Duke Raymond of Galicia.

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