A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Acerra family of Italy.
Reg. 8268 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à trois chev. d'arg., ch. de dix mouch. d'herm. de sa., 4, 4 et 2.”
NaplesNaples, c. 1775
Where the Acerra Arms Were Recorded
Naples
Map of Italy showing where the Acerra arms are recorded
The Acerra arms were recorded in Naples, c. 1775.
Naples was the largest city in Italy and the seat of a kingdom. Its noble houses were numerous, and the kingdom kept formal lists of the families entitled to arms, which is why so many appear in the records.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Italy in this period.
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
Sovereign of the period
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
1763–1778
Reigning in Italy when the Acerra arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Italy
In the Italian states, coats of arms were often used by noble families to show their status and history. These symbols were passed down through the generations to all legitimate male descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design but sometimes added small changes to distinguish their specific line from the main branch.
Granting authority
Various local rulers and city governments controlled the use of coats of arms across the different Italian states.
How they got arms
Families often assumed their own arms or received them as official grants from local lords, popes, or city councils.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in local city archives or private family books rather than in one single national register.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Naples.
Origin & History of the Acerra Family in Italy
The family name Acerra is deeply rooted in the history of the Campania region of Italy, with strong ties to the city of Naples. By the year 1775, records confirm that members of the Acerra family were well-established residents within the vibrant urban landscape of Naples. The name itself is likely topographic, meaning it was originally used to identify people who came from the ancient town of Acerra, located just a few miles northeast of the city. During the eighteenth century, families in this region often moved between the surrounding countryside and the capital city to participate in trade, craft guilds, or administrative service. As the Acerra family settled in Naples, they became part of the dense social fabric of a city that served as one of the largest and most influential cultural hubs in Europe at the time. Their presence in the city archives during this period reflects a time of significant growth and transition for Neapolitan families as they navigated the complexities of life under the Bourbon monarchy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Acer
Latin term meaning sharp, keen, or pointed.
This name
AcerraRefers to a person living near a sharp or pointed geographical feature.
also spelled
Aserra
Acerre
Asera
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Frede, Carlo. Napoli nel Settecento. 1988
Archivio di Stato di Napoli, Stato Civile della Restaurazione
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
