A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cappy family of Austria.
Reg. 9336 · Austrian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'azur à la fasce d'or, acc. de trois merlettes d'arg.”
Austriac. 1772
Where the Cappy Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Cappy arms are recorded
The Cappy arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Cappy Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Cappy arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Cappy Family in Austria
The family name Cappy finds its historical roots nestled within the rugged landscapes of the Tyrol region. By the year 1772, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of this mountainous area, which spans parts of modern-day Austria and Italy. The name likely originated as a descriptive term or a local nickname, as was common practice for families living in small alpine communities during the eighteenth century. Life in Tyrol at this time was defined by the challenging terrain and a strong sense of regional identity, which helped shape the daily lives and social standing of the early Cappy ancestors. As they navigated the social and economic shifts of the late 1700s, the family remained tied to the traditions and agricultural rhythms of the alpine valleys, marking their place in the local history of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caput
Latin term meaning head or leader.
This name
CappyA topographic or occupational surname referring to someone living at the head of a valley or a leader.
also spelled
Capi
Cappie
Kapi
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tiroler Landesarchiv, Tiroler Steuerkataster 1772
Hermann Wopfner, Bergbauernbuch: Von Arbeit und Leben des Tiroler Bergbauern, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
