A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barresi family of Italy.
Reg. 4984 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 douze merlettes de gu., 4, 4 et 4.”
ItalySyracuse, c. 1775
Where the Barresi Arms Were Recorded
Syracuse
Map of Italy showing where the Barresi arms are recorded
The Barresi arms were recorded in Syracuse, 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 Barresi 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 Barresi Family in Italy
The Barresi family name has deep roots in the island of Sicily, where it has been established for centuries. By the year 1775, members of the family were well-documented residents of Syracuse, a city with a rich history dating back to ancient Greek times. The name itself is thought to be a topographic or habitational surname, likely derived from local geography or specific settlements in the region. Families like the Barresis were often deeply connected to the agricultural and social life of the island, serving as pillars of their local communities. As they lived in a major port city like Syracuse, they were likely involved in the bustling trade and cultural exchanges that defined the Mediterranean during the eighteenth century. Over generations, the family helped shape the local identity of the area through their work, their civic participation, and their long-standing presence in the historic streets of southeastern Sicily.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Barra
A barrier, gate, or a bar used for defense or closure.
This name
BarresiDerived from a topographic location near a gate or a barrier fortification.
also spelled
Barrese
Barresy
Baresee
Related arms
di Lorenzorecorded with Barresi, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivio di Stato di Siracusa, Stato delle Anime della Parrocchia di Santa Lucia, 1775
Caracausi, Girolamo, Dizionario onomastico della Sicilia, 1993
Rohlfs, Gerhard, Dizionario dei cognomi e dei soprannomi in Sicilia, 1984
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martletA younger son, who must win his own land
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
