Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à six étoiles (8) d'arg.; à la bordure émanchée d'azur sur arg.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Altieri family of Italy.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à six étoiles (8) d'arg.; à la bordure émanchée d'azur sur arg.”
The Altieri 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.
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.
The Altieri family name carries a long history rooted in the Italian peninsula, with records confirming their presence in the vibrant city of Venice by 1775. The name itself is derived from the Germanic elements "ald" and "hari," which together carry the meaning of an old or experienced warrior. During the late 18th century, families like the Altieris were often part of the social fabric that defined Venetian trade and civic life. As the city transitioned through various political changes during this era, the family likely contributed to the local economy and the unique cultural identity of the Venetian Republic. Their documented presence during this time highlights a lineage that was well-established within one of Europe’s most influential maritime powers.
A Germanic compound meaning old or ancient ruler.
