A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bertolo 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 Bertolo 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 Bertolo 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 family name Bertolo finds its roots in the northern Italian region of Veneto, where it emerged as a variation of the personal name Bartolomeo. During the late 18th century, the family established a documented presence in the city of Vicenza, a location renowned for its rich architectural history and deep ties to the Venetian Republic. By 1775, members of the Bertolo family were active participants in the local economy and social life of this area. As the name evolved from a common given name into a hereditary surname, it likely reflected the trade or status of those early ancestors who lived in the shadow of the Berici Hills. These early generations helped shape the family identity by integrating into the vibrant urban culture of Vicenza, leaving behind a legacy that remains tied to the historical landscape of northern Italy.
Derived from Germanic elements meaning bright or famous ruler.
