A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bertoldo family of Italy.
lionCourage, strength and royaltyJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur au lion d'or”
The Bertoldo arms were recorded in Vicence, 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.
Reigning in Italy when the Bertoldo arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Bertoldo finds its linguistic roots in the Germanic name Berhtwald, which combines elements meaning bright and ruler. Over several centuries, this name evolved through Italian regional dialects before settling into its current form. By the late 18th century, the family was well-established in the city of Vicenza, a region known for its rich history of trade and craftsmanship within the Venetian Republic. Families living in this area during the 1770s often participated in the local agricultural economy or served in specialized artisan guilds. The presence of the Bertoldo name in official records from 1775 suggests that the family was integrated into the social and civic life of the city during a period of significant cultural development in Northern Italy.
Bright or famous ruler
