A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bonacorsi family of Italy.
Reg. 9166 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Fascé-ondé de sa. et d'arg.; au lion d'or, arm., lamp. et cour. de gu., br. sur le tout.”
ItalyFlorence, c. 1401
Where the Bonacorsi Arms Were Recorded
Florence
Map of Italy showing where the Bonacorsi arms are recorded
The Bonacorsi arms were recorded in Florence, c. 1401.
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.
Gian Galeazzo Visconti
Sovereign of the period
Gian Galeazzo Visconti
1395–1402
Reigning in Italy when the Bonacorsi 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 Bonacorsi Family in Italy
The Bonacorsi family name carries a long history rooted in the vibrant culture of medieval Italy. By the year 1401, members of this family were well-established residents of Florence, a city that served as the heart of the Renaissance. During this era, the family was deeply integrated into the social and economic fabric of the city. They participated in the local guilds and trade networks that made Florence a powerful center of commerce and art. The name itself reflects the naming customs of the time, often derived from a combination of words meaning good and course or path, suggesting a family that valued reputation and steady progress. As citizens of a major republic, the early Bonacorsi family members likely navigated the complex political landscape of Tuscany while contributing to the growth of their community through their professional activities and civic duties.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bonus Cursus
Latin for good or favorable journey or course.
This name
BonacorsiRefers to a person who follows a virtuous path or has a favorable destiny.
also spelled
Bonacorso
Bonacors
Bonakorsi
Related arms
Corradisimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Brucker, Gene, Renaissance Florence, 1969
Goldthwaite, Richard A., The Economy of Renaissance Florence, 2009
Archivio di Stato di Firenze, Catasto, 1427
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
