A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Arditi family of Italy.
Reg. 4988 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
fireZeal and purification
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à deux pals d'arg.; et une flamme au nat., en abime, br. sur les pals; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois fleurs-de-lis d'or, rangées entre les quatre pendants d'un lambel de gu.”
ItalyBologne, c. 1775
Where the Arditi Arms Were Recorded
Bologne
Map of Italy showing where the Arditi arms are recorded
The Arditi arms were recorded in Bologne, 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 Arditi 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 Arditi Family in Italy
The surname Arditi carries a rich history rooted in the cultural landscape of Northern Italy. While the name is famously associated with the elite shock troops of the Italian army during the early twentieth century, the lineage itself stretches back much further into the past. By 1775, records confirm that members of the Arditi family were well-established residents of Bologna. During this period, Bologna served as a vital center for trade, law, and education, suggesting that the family likely participated in the professional or civic life of the city. The name itself is thought to derive from the Italian word *ardito*, which translates to bold or daring. This suggests that the original bearers of the name were recognized for their courageous spirit or adventurous nature, traits that likely helped them integrate into the competitive social environment of eighteenth-century Italy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ardit
Derived from the Germanic root hard meaning brave, hardy, or strong.
This name
ArditiAn Italian surname indicating a descendant of a brave or courageous individual.
also spelled
Ardity
Arditie
Ardit
Ardeetee
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
Fucile, Roberto. Gli Arditi: Storia di un reparto d'élite. 2008
Archivio di Stato di Bologna, Stato civile della Restaurazione
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
fireZeal and purification
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
fireZeal and purification
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
