A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Castellani family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8256 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à une poire d'or, tigée et feuillée du même, la queue en haut, acc. de trois croiss. d'or.”
ItalyFlorence, c. 1775
Where the Castellani Arms Were Recorded
Florence
Map of Italy showing where the Castellani arms are recorded
The Castellani arms were recorded in Florence, c. 1775.
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 Castellani 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 Castellani Family in Italy
The Castellani family name is deeply rooted in the social and political fabric of medieval and Renaissance Italy, with its origins tied to the architectural and defensive history of the region. The name is derived from the Italian word *castellano*, which historically referred to the governor or warden of a castle. By the time the family established a prominent presence in Florence during the late eighteenth century, they were part of a long tradition of families who rose to influence through civic service and urban administration. In the context of 1775 Florence, the Castellani were integrated into the city’s complex social hierarchy, reflecting a shift from their ancestral roles as protectors of fortified strongholds to becoming active participants in the economic and cultural life of the Tuscan capital. This transition highlights how a name originally linked to military duty evolved into a marker of established urban citizenship and professional status within the Italian peninsula.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“de sin. en saut., passées dans une couronne d'or.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Castellani Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Castellani arms are recorded
The Castellani arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Italy when the Castellani arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Castellani Family in France
The family name Castellani carries a rich history that traces back to the rugged landscapes of Brittany, where records confirm the family’s presence as early as 1663. While the name is often associated with Mediterranean roots, its establishment in the French region of Bretagne suggests a history of migration and integration into local provincial life. During the seventeenth century, families in this region were often deeply connected to the land and the evolving administrative structures of the French kingdom. The Castellani name likely moved through trade routes or professional appointments, eventually taking hold in the local parish registers of Brittany. By settling in this area, early family members became part of the distinct cultural and social fabric of the region, participating in the daily life and historical developments that defined the seventeenth-century French countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Castellum
A Latin term referring to a small fort, castle, or fortified place.
This name
CastellaniDerived from a topographic name for someone who lived near or worked at a castle.
also spelled
Castellan
Castellane
Castellano
Kastelani
Related arms
Castelanivariant spelling
Castellanvariant spelling
Castellanevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Brucker, Gene, Renaissance Florence, 1969
Goldthwaite, Richard A., The Economy of Renaissance Florence, 2009
Archivio di Stato di Firenze, Tratte
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
