A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Aquila family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6679 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
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 l'aigle d'arg., cour. d'or. Cq. cour. C.: l'aigle, iss. L. d'arg. et de sa.”
Italyc. 1775
Where the Aquila Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Aquila arms are recorded
The Aquila 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 Aquila 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 Aquila Family in Italy
The family name Aquila traces its roots to the Latin word for eagle, a term that often signified strength or nobility in ancient Italy. While the name is found throughout various regions, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Venice by 1775. During this period, Venice served as a major hub for trade and cultural exchange, allowing families like the Aquilas to integrate into the city’s complex social and economic structures. Many individuals bearing this name were likely involved in the maritime commerce or the skilled artisan guilds that defined Venetian life in the late eighteenth century. As the family navigated the shifting political landscape of the Italian peninsula, they maintained a presence in urban centers where their name became associated with the industrious spirit of the era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Or, an eagle close gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Aquila Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Aquila arms are recorded
The Aquila arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Italy when the Aquila arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Aquila Family in England
The surname Aquila carries a deep connection to the Latin language, as the word translates directly to eagle. While the name has ancient roots, its presence in England became more established as families moved into urban centers during the seventeenth century. By 1620, records confirm that members of the Aquila family were living in the historic city of York. At this time, York was a bustling hub of trade and religious activity, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow. The name likely arrived in England through scholars or merchants who maintained ties to continental Europe, where Latin-based names were more common. As these individuals integrated into English society, they contributed to the diverse cultural fabric of northern England. Their presence in York suggests they were part of a growing class of citizens who helped shape the local economy and community life during the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aquila
Latin word for eagle, a bird of prey.
This name
AquilaAn occupational or habitational name referring to someone associated with an eagle or living at a place marked by an eagle emblem.
also spelled
Aquilla
Aquile
Aquil
Akila
Aquilis
Related arms
Aquilisvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivio di Stato di Venezia, Anagrafi di cittadinanza (1775)
Crollalanza, G. B., Dizionario storico-blasonico delle famiglie nobili e notabili italiane estinte e fiorenti, 1886
De Felice, Emidio, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani, 1978
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
