A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Agnelli family of Italy.
Reg. 5775 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 de gu. au lion d'arg., tenant de ses pattes une chandelle fumante; au 2 de sa. au chien assis d'or, les pattes levées. Au chef de l'écu d'azur, br. sur le parti et ch. de trois étoiles d'or. Cq. cour. C.: un vol de sa. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'or et de sa.”
Italyc. 1775
Where the Agnelli Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Agnelli arms are recorded
The Agnelli arms were recorded in Italy, c. 1775.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Venice.
Venice ran on trade, and its great families were merchants before they were anything else. The city kept a formal list of its noble houses, and a name on that list carried arms as a matter of record.
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 Agnelli 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 Agnelli Family in Italy
The Agnelli family name finds its roots in the rich linguistic tradition of Northern Italy, derived from the Italian word for lamb. While the name is widely recognized today for its connection to the automotive industry, its historical presence in Venice by 1775 suggests a family deeply integrated into the commercial and social fabric of the Venetian Republic. During this period, Venice served as a major hub for trade and craftsmanship, and families like the Agnelli often occupied roles within the merchant class or local administration. By settling in such a prominent maritime power, early family members were positioned at the center of European economic life. This early residency indicates that the family was well-established long before the rise of modern industrialization, reflecting a legacy of stability and civic participation in one of history’s most influential city-states.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Agnellus
Latin for little lamb or derived from the word for lamb.
This name
AgnelliA patronymic or descriptive name referring to someone associated with lambs or shepherding.
also spelled
Agnely
Anyeli
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Candeloro, Giorgio. Storia dell'Italia moderna. 1956
Lane, Frederic C. Venice, A Maritime Republic. 1973
Archivio di Stato di Venezia, Anagrafe di Venezia
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
