A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bonini family of Italy.
Reg. 1335 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
foxWit and wisdom in defence
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé d'arg. sur azur; l'azur ch. d'un chev. renv. d'arg.; au renard naiss. de gu., mouv. de l'espace entre les jambes du chev. et br. sur l'arg. en chef.”
ItalyVicence, c. 1775
Where the Bonini Arms Were Recorded
Vicence
Map of Italy showing where the Bonini arms are recorded
The Bonini arms were recorded in Vicence, 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 Bonini 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 Bonini Family in Italy
The surname Bonini originates from the Italian language and is derived from the word "buono," which translates to good or kind. Historically, this name was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person known for their pleasant nature or moral character. By the late 18th century, the family established a notable presence in the city of Vicenza, a region deeply influenced by the cultural and economic shifts of the Venetian Republic. During this period, families like the Boninis were often integrated into the local urban fabric, participating in the trade and social life that defined northern Italian cities. While the name is found in various parts of Italy, the records from 1775 confirm that the family was well-established in the Vicenza area, contributing to the local history of the Veneto region during the final decades of the Enlightenment.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bonus
Latin term meaning good, virtuous, or kind.
This name
BoniniDerived from a diminutive form indicating a good or kind person.
also spelled
Boniny
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
Vicenza State Archive (Archivio di Stato di Vicenza), Anagrafe storica della città di Vicenza
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
foxWit and wisdom in defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
foxWit and wisdom in defence
