A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Adorno family of Italy.
Reg. 6103 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'or à la bande échiq. d'arg. et de sa., de trois tires. C.: une aigle de sa., entre un vol d'or. D.: RESTATE UNITI PER ESSER FORTI. S.: deux griffons, tenant chacun une bannière aux armes de l'écu [V. Botta-Adorno].”
ItalyGènes, c. 1775
Where the Adorno Arms Were Recorded
Gènes
Map of Italy showing where the Adorno arms are recorded
The Adorno arms were recorded in Gènes, c. 1775.
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 Adorno 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 Italy.
Origin & History of the Adorno Family in Italy
The Adorno family name is deeply rooted in the history of Genoa, a powerful maritime republic in Italy. By the late 18th century, the family had already established a long-standing reputation as influential figures within the city’s political and social circles. The name itself is thought to derive from the Italian word "adorno," which means adorned or decorated, suggesting that early ancestors may have been known for their elegance or their role in crafting fine goods. Throughout the centuries, members of the Adorno family were deeply involved in the complex governance of Genoa, often serving as doges and diplomats who helped shape the city's trade routes across the Mediterranean. Their presence in 1775 reflects a time when the family remained a central pillar of Genoese society, maintaining their status through strategic alliances and long-held traditions of public service.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adornare
Latin verb meaning to equip, furnish, or decorate.
This name
AdornoRefers to a person who is well-adorned, elegant, or someone who works as a decorator.
also spelled
Adornno
Adorn
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Grendler, Paul F., The Renaissance in Italy: A Social and Cultural History of the Italian City-States, 2004
Heers, Jacques, Gênes au XVe siècle: Activité économique et problèmes sociaux, 1961
Archivio di Stato di Genova, Archivio Segreto, Sezione Storica
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
