A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Caputo family of Italy.
Reg. 9723 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
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)
“D'arg. à une tête de léopard de sa., cour. d'or. Cq. cour. C.: un bras, arm. de sa., tenant une tête de Turc par les cheveux. L.: à dextre d'or et d'arg., à sen. d'or et de gu.”
NaplesNaples, c. 1775
Where the Caputo Arms Were Recorded
Naples
Map of Italy showing where the Caputo arms are recorded
The Caputo 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 Caputo 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 Caputo Family in Italy
The surname Caputo originates from the Italian word "capo," which means head or chief. In the context of early surnames, this often served as a descriptive nickname for a person who held a position of leadership or possessed a distinct physical feature. By the time the family was firmly established in Naples during the year 1775, they were part of a vibrant urban culture defined by trade, religious tradition, and the complex social hierarchy of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. During this period, families like the Caputos often played active roles in the local economy, working as artisans, merchants, or landowners within the bustling city. Their presence in Naples suggests they were integrated into the administrative and social life of the region, where they likely navigated the shifting political landscape of the late eighteenth century while maintaining their family identity through generations of community involvement.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caput
Latin term meaning head, chief, or leader.
This name
CaputoRefers to a person with a large head or someone who held a position of leadership.
also spelled
Caputti
Caputio
Caput
Kaputo
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
Fucile, Francesco. I cognomi del Sud: Storia, etimologia e diffusione. 2005
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.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
