A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brancaleone family of Italy.
Reg. 3403 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'azur au lion d'or; au chef du même, ch. d'une aigle ép. de sa.”
Italyc. 1775
Where the Brancaleone Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Brancaleone arms are recorded
The Brancaleone arms were recorded in Italy, c. 1775.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Venice.
Venice ran on trade, and its great families were merchants before they were anything else. The city kept a formal list of its noble houses, and a name on that list carried arms as a matter of record.
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 Brancaleone 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 Brancaleone Family in Italy
The name Brancaleone carries a storied history that traces its roots deep into the Italian peninsula, with significant documentation placing the family in the vibrant city of Venice by the year 1775. The name itself is a compound word that combines the Italian terms for claw and lion, which suggests that early ancestors were likely recognized for their strength, courage, or a commanding presence in their community. During the eighteenth century, Venice served as a major crossroads for trade and culture, and families like the Brancaleones were often integrated into the city’s complex social and mercantile networks. While the family established a firm foothold in the Venetian lagoon, the name also appears in various regional records across Italy, indicating that they were part of a broader migration pattern that connected different Italian provinces. By the late 1700s, members of the family were active participants in the urban life of Venice, contributing to the historical fabric of a city defined by its maritime power and artistic influence.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Branca and Leone
Claw or branch and lion
This name
BrancaleoneA heraldic or descriptive name signifying a lion with a powerful claw or branch-like strength.
also spelled
Brancaleon
Brancaleonee
Brankaleone
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivio di Stato di Venezia, Anagrafe di Venezia, Sezione XVIII
Crollalanza, Giovan Battista di, Dizionario storico-blasonico delle famiglie nobili e notabili italiane estinte e fiorenti, 1886
De Felice, Emidio, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani, 1978
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
