A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Capello family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9401 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
hat or capDignity, and the honour of office
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à un chapeau d'abbé de gu., les cordons noués en saut.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
Where the Capello Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Capello arms are recorded
The Capello arms were recorded in Brabant, c. 1737.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Belgium when the Capello arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Brabant.
Origin & History of the Capello Family in Belgium
The family name Capello traces its roots in Belgium back to the historic Duchy of Brabant, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1737. During this era, the region was a bustling hub of trade and agricultural development under the rule of the Austrian Netherlands. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term, often linked to the Italian word for hat or a small cape, which suggests that early ancestors may have been known for their specific style of dress or their work as skilled tailors and merchants. As the family settled into the local communities of Brabant, they became part of the social fabric of the Low Countries, likely navigating the complex guild systems and local parish life that defined the eighteenth century. Their presence in this specific region highlights the movement of families across European borders during a time of significant economic transition. By integrating into the local culture of Brabant, the Capello family helped shape the diverse heritage of what would eventually become the modern nation of Belgium.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
hat or capDignity, and the honour of office
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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, au chapeau de l'un en l'autre, les cordons de gu., passés en saut., ch. sur la forme d'une fleur-de-lis d'or. C.: trois pl. d'aut., une d'arg. entre deux d'azur.”
VeniceVenice, c. 1775
Where the Capello Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Capello arms are recorded
The Capello arms were recorded in Venice, c. 1775.
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 Belgium when the Capello 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 Venice.
Origin & History of the Capello Family in Italy
The surname Capello traces its roots deep into the history of northern Italy, where it emerged as a name often associated with the trade of hat-making or the distinct style of headwear worn by its earliest bearers. By the late eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the Republic of Venice, a city defined by its maritime power and complex social hierarchy. During this period, the name was linked to the vibrant commercial life of the Venetian lagoon, where families like the Capellos participated in the city's unique blend of artistic, political, and mercantile activities. As Venice transitioned through the political shifts of the late 1700s, the family remained part of the urban fabric that defined the city’s enduring legacy. Their history reflects the broader evolution of Italian surnames, which often transformed from simple occupational descriptions into lasting markers of lineage and regional identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cappa
A Latin term referring to a hooded cloak or cape.
This name
CapelloAn occupational surname for a maker or seller of hooded cloaks or hats.
also spelled
Capelo
Related arms
Capelovariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief te België), Parochieregisters van de provincie Brabant, 1737
De Smet, A., Geschiedenis van de Brabantse steden en hun bevolking, 1968
Van der Essen, L., Étude sur le développement historique de la Belgique, 1920
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
hat or capDignity, and the honour of office
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
hat or capDignity, and the honour of office
