A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Carelli family of Italy.
Reg. 5808 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'herm. plein; au 2 d'arg. à trois pals de sa.”
Italyc. 1775
Where the Carelli Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Carelli arms are recorded
The Carelli 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 Carelli 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 Carelli Family in Italy
The surname Carelli is deeply rooted in the Italian linguistic tradition, likely originating as a diminutive form of the name Caro, which translates to dear or beloved. By the late 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in Venice, a city defined by its complex network of canals and its history as a major maritime power. During the year 1775, members of the Carelli family were active participants in the social and economic life of the Venetian Republic. This period was a time of transition for the city, as it maintained its status as a hub for trade and artistry despite the shifting political tides of Europe. Families like the Carellis often integrated into the urban fabric by engaging in commerce or professional guilds, which allowed them to contribute to the unique cultural identity that still defines Venice today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Carus
Latin term meaning dear, beloved, or precious.
This name
CarelliA diminutive form referring to a beloved or cherished individual.
also spelled
Carely
Careli
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
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paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
