A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boni family of Italy.
Reg. 4206 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 d'azur; au lion d'arg., br. sur le parti, ch. d'un écusson d'azur surch. d'une ou de trois fleurs-de-lis d'or.”
ItalyFlorence, c. 1775
Where the Boni Arms Were Recorded
Florence
Map of Italy showing where the Boni arms are recorded
The Boni arms were recorded in Florence, 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 Boni 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 Boni Family in Italy
The Boni family name has deep roots in the historical landscape of Florence, Italy, where members of the lineage were well-established by the late 18th century. The name itself is derived from the Italian word "buono," which translates to "good," and it was likely used as a descriptive nickname for a person known for their kindness or honorable character. During the 1700s, Florence was a vibrant center of culture and trade, and families like the Boni were often involved in the city's active social and economic life. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of the city, participating in the daily commerce and civic traditions that defined Florentine society during the Enlightenment era. This period was a time of significant transition for the region, and the Boni family members were among the many citizens who helped shape the identity of the city through their presence in local records and community affairs.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bonus
Latin term meaning good, virtuous, or kind.
This name
BoniDerived from a medieval personal name signifying a good or honest individual.
also spelled
Bony
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bargellini, Piero. Firenze nelle sue leggende e nei suoi ricordi. 1960
Cohn, Samuel K. The Cult of Remembrance and the Black Death: Six Renaissance Cities in Central Italy. 1992
Archivio di Stato di Firenze, Stato Civile della Restaurazione
Archivio di Stato di Firenze, Catasto Toscano
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
