A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bonazza family of Austria.
Reg. 4366 · Austrian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bullValour and generosity
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 parti: a. d'or à l'aigle de sa.; b. d'arg. à trois bandes de gu.; au 2 d'arg. à un boeuf arrêté de gu., accosté de deux arbres de sin., le tout soutenu d'une terrasse du même. Cq. cour. C.: un bouquetin ramp. au nat., entre un vol de sa. L. d'or et de sa.”
Austriac. 1772
Where the Bonazza Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Bonazza arms are recorded
The Bonazza arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Bonazza Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Bonazza arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Bonazza Family in Austria
The family name Bonazza finds its historical roots in the rugged Alpine regions of Northern Italy and the Tyrol. By the year 1772, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents within the Tyrol area. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Italian word "buono," which translates to good, suggesting that the original name may have been a descriptive nickname for a person with a kind or virtuous character. During this period, families in the Tyrol lived in a unique cultural crossroads where Italian and Germanic influences blended together. Life for the Bonazza family in the late 18th century likely revolved around the challenges of mountain agriculture and the seasonal rhythms of village life in the high valleys. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the distinct heritage of the region long before the modern borders of Europe were finalized.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bonus
Latin term meaning good or virtuous.
This name
BonazzaDerived from a nickname for a good or kind person.
also spelled
Bonazze
Bonazz
Bonaza
Related arms
Bonacinasimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Girolamo Felice, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani, 1992
Emidio De Felice, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani, 1978
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bullValour and generosity
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
bullValour and generosity
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
