A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barbaro family of Italy.
Reg. 1920 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à deux bandes d'azur, acc. de deux roses du même. - Armes mod.: D'arg. au cyclamor ou orle rond de gu. [Une branche de cette maison porte ces armes posées sur la poitrine d'une aigle ép. de sa. en champ d'or.]”
VeniceVenice, c. 1775
Where the Barbaro Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Barbaro arms are recorded
The Barbaro arms were recorded in Venice, c. 1775.
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 Barbaro 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 Venice.
Origin & History of the Barbaro Family in Italy
The Barbaro family holds a significant place in the long history of Venice, with records confirming their prominence in the city by the late eighteenth century. The name itself is derived from the Latin term for foreign or non-Roman, which suggests that the family may have descended from ancient settlers or traders who arrived in the Venetian lagoon during the early Middle Ages. Over many generations, the family integrated into the complex social and political fabric of the Venetian Republic. They were known for their active participation in the city's maritime commerce and civic governance. By the time they were well-established in 1775, the Barbaros had become deeply connected to the unique culture of Venice, contributing to the city's reputation as a center of trade and intellectual life. Their history reflects the broader story of how influential families helped shape the development of Venice over several centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
barbarus
Latin term meaning foreign, strange, or non-Roman.
This name
BarbaroRefers to a person of foreign origin or someone who spoke a non-Latin language.
also spelled
Barbarro
Barbaroe
Barbarou
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Brown, Horatio F., Studies in the History of Venice, 1907
Lane, Frederic C., Venice, A Maritime Republic, 1973
Archivio di Stato di Venezia, Avogaria di Comun, Libro d'Oro, 1775
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
