A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Berretta family of Italy.
Reg. 2045 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'or à l'aigle de sa., cour. du champ; au 2 d'arg. au château sommé de deux tours de gu., ouv. et aj. du champ, surm. entre les tours d'un béret de gu., retr. d'arg.”
ItalyMilan, c. 1775
Where the Berretta Arms Were Recorded
Milan
Map of Italy showing where the Berretta arms are recorded
The Berretta 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 Berretta 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 Berretta Family in Italy
The Berretta family name is deeply rooted in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, with significant historical ties to the city of Milan. By the year 1775, members of the family were well-established within the local community, likely participating in the vibrant trade and professional life that defined the city during the eighteenth century. The name itself is derived from the Italian word "berretta," which refers to a specific style of cap or head covering. In medieval and early modern Italy, it was common for surnames to originate from the specialized tools, clothing, or trades associated with a person’s daily life. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Milan, reflecting the broader history of urban families who helped shape the economic and cultural development of the region during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Birrus
A heavy, hooded woolen cloak worn in ancient Rome.
This name
BerrettaAn occupational name for a maker or seller of hooded caps or cloaks.
also spelled
Berreta
Berrett
Related arms
Besana-Marinisimilar arms
San Giulianosimilar arms
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, 1815–1865
Fucile, Roberto, I cognomi d'Italia: Storia e significato, 1987
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
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
