These arms are a nod to the coat of arms of the armiger’s grandfather, Francisco Salvado Leal. The dog symbolises loyalty ("leal" means loyal in Portuguese) and the cherries reference her village and birthplace.

Maria de Lourdes de Matos Salvado Silva was born on December 26th, 1926, in Alcaide village and parish, Municipality of Fundão, District of Castelo Branco. Her parents were Joaquim Inácio Salvado, Inspector of CP (Trains of Portugal), and Maria da Ressurreição Matos. She was a granddaughter of Francisco Salvado Leal, Roman Catholic parish priest of Alcaide, through her mother's side.

Maria de Lourdes de Matos Salvado Silva married Fernando Augusto Silva and lived in the greater Lisbon area throughout her life, visiting her birthplace and Madeira Island whenever possible. Together with Fernando, she had one child, a daughter called Isabel Maria Salvado Silva Pinto-Correia.