A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bonesteel family of Italy.
Reg. 4022 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
bullValour and generosity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à une tour au nat., accostee de deux boeufs affr. d'or, ramp. contre la tour, le tout soutenu d'une terrasse de sin. et acc. en chef de trois étoiles (5) rangées d'or.”
ItalyBologne, c. 1775
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Map of Italy showing where the Bonesteel arms are recorded
The Bonesteel 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 Bonesteel 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 Bonesteel Family in Italy
The family name Bonesteel is believed to have roots in the northern regions of France, specifically near the coastal city of Boulogne-sur-Mer. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in this area by 1775, living in a region known for its maritime trade and proximity to the English Channel. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older European surnames that described a person's character or physical traits, often evolving as families moved across borders or integrated into new communities. Over time, the family transitioned from their life in the Boulogne region to broader European and eventually North American settings. This migration was common for families of that era who sought new opportunities in agriculture or trade, leading the name to spread far from its original French origins.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bonus Stilus
Latin for good or noble style, pen, or stake.
This name
BonesteelLikely a descriptive occupational or habitational name referring to a person of good character or status.
also spelled
Boneste
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Pas-de-Calais, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Boulogne-sur-Mer, 1775
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
bullValour and generosity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
bullValour and generosity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
