Map of Italy showing where the Cardinale arms are recorded
The Cardinale 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 Cardinale 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 Cardinale Family in Italy
The surname Cardinale is deeply rooted in the history of Southern Italy, with documented records confirming the presence of the family in Naples by 1775. The name itself is derived from the Italian word for cardinal, which suggests that early ancestors may have held positions of service or prestige within the church administration or local government. During the late 18th century, Naples was a bustling capital under the Bourbon monarchy, and families like the Cardinales were often part of the growing urban middle class or professional circles. These individuals likely worked as merchants, artisans, or civil servants who helped sustain the city’s economy. As the family expanded throughout the region, they became a part of the vibrant social fabric of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, leaving behind a legacy tied to the cultural and historical development of the Italian peninsula.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cardo
Derived from the Latin word for hinge or pivot point.
This name
CardinaleRefers to a person who lived near a cardinal's residence or held a high-ranking ecclesiastical position.
also spelled
Brancaccio
Cardinale
Brancacciocardinale
Brankacho del Kardinale
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivio di Stato di Napoli, Stato Civile della Restaurazione
Colletta, Pietro, Storia del Reame di Napoli dal 1734 sino al 1825, 1834
De Seta, Cesare, Napoli, 1981
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
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
