A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bassi family of Italy.
Reg. 5066 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Tiercé en fasce: au 1 d'or à l'aigle de sa., cour. du champ; au 2 d'arg. à la croix de gu.; au 3 éc. en saut. d'or et de gu.”
ItalyMilan, c. 1775
Where the Bassi Arms Were Recorded
Milan
Map of Italy showing where the Bassi arms are recorded
The Bassi arms were recorded in Milan, 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 Bassi 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 Bassi Family in Italy
The surname Bassi is deeply rooted in the history of Northern Italy, particularly within the Lombardy region. The name is derived from the Italian word "basso," which means low or short, and it likely began as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor of modest stature. By the late 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in Milan, a city that served as a major cultural and economic hub under the influence of the Habsburg monarchy. During this period, families like the Bassi were often integrated into the urban fabric of Milanese society, participating in the city's vibrant trade, administration, and artistic life. As the family grew, they became part of the local history that defined Milan before the major political shifts of the Napoleonic era. This transition from a simple descriptive nickname to a recognized family name reflects the broader patterns of how surnames evolved across the Italian peninsula.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bassus
Latin term meaning thick, dense, or stout in physical stature.
This name
BassiA patronymic or descriptive surname derived from a nickname for a short or stout individual.
also spelled
Bassy
Basi
Related arms
Bassyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
State Archives of Milan (Archivio di Stato di Milano), 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.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
