A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Capelo family of Italy.
Reg. 5120 · Italian, 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
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)
“D'azur à un chapeau de gu., les cordons passés en saut.”
Italyc. 1775
Where the Capelo Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Capelo arms are recorded
The Capelo 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 Capelo 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 Capelo Family in Italy
The surname Capelo carries a rich history rooted in the linguistic traditions of Southern Europe, where it evolved from the Latin word *cappa*, referring to a hooded cloak or mantle. By the time members of the family were documented in Venice in 1775, the name had already established itself as a common identifier for individuals who either crafted these garments or were known for wearing a distinctive style of head covering. In the bustling maritime environment of eighteenth-century Venice, families bearing this name were often integrated into the city’s vibrant trade and artisan networks. While the name is widely recognized across the Iberian Peninsula and Italy, its presence in Venice highlights the family's participation in the social and economic life of one of Europe’s most significant historical hubs. Over generations, the name transitioned from a simple occupational description into a stable family identity that traveled across borders and through changing political landscapes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cappa
A Latin term referring to a hooded cloak or cape.
This name
CapeloDerived from a nickname for someone who wore a distinctive cape or hood.
also spelled
Capello
Related arms
Capellovariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
Moll, Francesc de B. Els llinatges catalans. 1959
Archivio di Stato di Venezia, Anagrafi di popolazione
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
