A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cappelli family of Italy.
Reg. 4797 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hat or capDignity, and the honour of office
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'or à un chapeau de prélat de gu.”
Italyc. 1775
Where the Cappelli Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Cappelli arms are recorded
The Cappelli 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 Cappelli 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 Cappelli Family in Italy
The surname Cappelli is derived from the Italian word for hat, which suggests that the family’s earliest ancestors likely worked as skilled hatters or milliners. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the vibrant city of Venice. During this period, Venice served as a major hub for trade and craftsmanship, providing an ideal environment for families involved in specialized textile work to thrive. Records from 1775 indicate that the Cappelli family was well integrated into the urban fabric of the Venetian Republic. As the family grew, they moved beyond their original trade to participate in the diverse economic and social life of the city, leaving a lasting mark on the historical landscape of northern Italy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cappello
A medieval term for a hat or head covering.
This name
CappelliA surname originally denoting a hat maker or someone who wore a distinctive hat.
also spelled
Capelli
Cappely
Related arms
Capellivariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
State Archives of Venice (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.
hat or capDignity, and the honour of office
hat or capDignity, and the honour of office
