A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Capua family of Italy.
Reg. 5365 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Tiercé en bande: aux 1 et 3 d'or plein; au 2 d'arg. à la bande coticée de sa.”
NaplesNaples, c. 1775
Where the Capua Arms Were Recorded
Naples
Map of Italy showing where the Capua arms are recorded
The Capua arms were recorded in Naples, c. 1775.
Naples was the largest city in Italy and the seat of a kingdom. Its noble houses were numerous, and the kingdom kept formal lists of the families entitled to arms, which is why so many appear in the records.
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 Capua 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 Naples.
Origin & History of the Capua Family in Italy
The family name Capua originates from the ancient city of the same name in the Campania region of Italy. Historically, the name served as a topographic identifier, marking individuals who either hailed from this prominent Roman-era city or held land within its jurisdiction. By the late 18th century, the family established a firm presence in Naples, which served as a major cultural and political hub under the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. During this period, families with this name were often integrated into the urban fabric of Naples, participating in the city’s vibrant trade, legal, and administrative life. Because Naples was a center for record-keeping during the Bourbon era, the presence of the family in 1775 suggests they were part of the established social order of the time, likely involved in the professional or mercantile classes that sustained the city’s economy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caput
Latin word meaning head, chief, or source.
This name
CapuaRefers to a person originating from the ancient Italian city of Capua.
also spelled
Capuae
Capuano
Capuani
Kapua
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Frede, Carlo. Napoli nel Settecento. 1970
Galasso, Giuseppe. Napoli nel Regno. Saggi di storia sociale e politica. 1995
Archivio di Stato di Napoli, Stato Civile della Restaurazione
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
