A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bologna family of Italy.
Reg. 5899 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti de gu. et de sin.; à deux chiens ramp. et affr. d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: une aigle iss. de sa., cour. d'or. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
ItalyBologne, c. 1775
Where the Bologna Arms Were Recorded
Bologne
Map of Italy showing where the Bologna arms are recorded
The Bologna arms were recorded in Bologne, 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 Bologna 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 Bologna Family in Italy
The family name Bologna originates as a locative surname, meaning it was originally used to identify individuals based on their connection to the historic city of Bologna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. In the late 18th century, families bearing this name were well-established within the region, as evidenced by records confirming their presence in the area by 1775. During this period, the name served as a social marker that linked a person to the city’s long-standing reputation as a center for trade, law, and academic study. As the family grew and members moved to different parts of the country or abroad, the name traveled with them, acting as a permanent link to their ancestral roots in northern Italy. This naming tradition helped preserve a sense of regional identity for those who carried the name, even as they settled into new communities and contributed to the local history of their respective homes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bononia
A Celtic or Etruscan term likely meaning foundation or settlement.
This name
BolognaRefers to an individual originating from the city of Bologna, Italy.
also spelled
Bolonia
Bolognia
Bolognaa
Bolonya
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Fucilla, Joseph G., Our Italian Surnames, 1949
De Felice, Emidio, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani, 1978
Archivio di Stato di Bologna, Stato civile della Restaurazione, 1775
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
