A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alessandri family of Italy.
Reg. 5438 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lambGentleness, patience and faith
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à un agneau pass. d'arg., à deux têtes adossées.”
ItalyFlorence, c. 1439
Where the Alessandri Arms Were Recorded
Florence
Map of Italy showing where the Alessandri arms are recorded
The Alessandri arms were recorded in Florence, c. 1439.
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.
Filippo Maria Visconti
Sovereign of the period
Filippo Maria Visconti
1412–1447
Reigning in Italy when the Alessandri 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 Alessandri Family in Italy
The Alessandri family holds a significant place in the history of Renaissance Florence, where they established themselves as a prominent lineage by the early fifteenth century. By 1439, the family was deeply integrated into the political and social fabric of the city, often serving in influential government roles such as the Priori. Their rise to power was closely tied to their success in commerce and banking, which allowed them to build strong connections with other elite families of the era. The family name itself is derived from the personal name Alessandro, reflecting a common Italian tradition of turning a given name into a lasting hereditary surname. Throughout the 1400s, the Alessandri family became well-known patrons of the arts, helping to shape the cultural landscape of Florence during one of its most creative periods. Their presence in the city records from this time highlights their status as key players in the development of Florentine civic life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Alexandros
Ancient Greek for defending men or protector of mankind.
This name
AlessandriPatronymic form derived from Alessandro, signifying a descendant of one who protects humanity.
also spelled
Alessandry
Alessandre
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kent, F. W., Lorenzo de' Medici and the Art of Magnificence, 2004
lambGentleness, patience and faith
lambGentleness, patience and faith
