A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Calcagni family of Italy.
Reg. 9917 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
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)
“De gu. au lion d'arg., tenant un bouquet du même; à la bande d'azur, br. sur le tout.”
SicilySicily, c. 1775
Where the Calcagni Arms Were Recorded
Sicily
Map of Italy showing where the Calcagni arms are recorded
The Calcagni arms were recorded in Sicily, c. 1775.
Sicily was ruled in turn by Normans, Germans, French and Spanish, and each left landed families behind. The island kept formal lists of its noble houses, which is why so many Sicilian names carry recorded 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.
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 Calcagni 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 Sicily.
Origin & History of the Calcagni Family in Italy
The family name Calcagni finds its roots in the Italian language, likely originating from a descriptive nickname related to the word *calcagno*, which means heel. In medieval Italy, surnames often began as ways to distinguish people by physical traits, occupations, or locations. By the late 18th century, the family was well-established in Sicily, a region known for its complex history of cultural exchange and migration. Records from 1775 show that members of the Calcagni family were active participants in the social and economic life of the island during this period. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of Sicilian society, contributing to the agricultural and civic development of their communities. Their presence in historical documents from this era suggests that they were settled, land-holding, or professional individuals who played a steady role in the regional history of Southern Italy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
calcare
Latin verb meaning to tread, trample, or press with the feet.
This name
CalcagniA topographic or occupational surname referring to someone who worked with lime or trod grapes.
also spelled
Calcagne
Calcagny
Calcani
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
