A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Castaldo family of Italy.
Reg. 6931 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 la fasce d'or, acc. de deux fleurs-de-lis de gu., 1 en chef et 1 en p.”
VeniceVenice, c. 1775
Where the Castaldo Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Castaldo arms are recorded
The Castaldo arms were recorded in Venice, c. 1775.
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 Castaldo 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 Venice.
Origin & History of the Castaldo Family in Italy
The surname Castaldo finds its roots in the medieval Italian term *gastaldus*, which referred to a high-ranking administrative official or a steward who managed land and property for a lord. During the Middle Ages, these individuals held significant authority as they oversaw local estates and enforced legal regulations on behalf of the nobility. As the title evolved into a hereditary surname, it reflected the family's historical role as trusted managers of resources and community affairs. By the year 1775, records confirm that members of the Castaldo family were well-established residents of Venice. At this time, Venice was a thriving center of trade and culture, and families with this name were integrated into the social and professional fabric of the city. The transition from a professional title to a family name highlights a long history of service and civic responsibility that defined the lineage for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
castaldus
A Latin term for a steward, bailiff, or estate manager.
This name
CastaldoRefers to a person who held the position of a steward or administrator of a noble estate.
also spelled
Castaldi
Castalde
Castald
Kastaldo
Related arms
Aleardisame arms
Castaldivariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dante Olivieri, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani, 1965
Emidio De Felice, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani, 1978
Archivio di Stato di Venezia, Anagrafe di Venezia, 1775
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
