A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cenci family of Italy.
Reg. 8181 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Tranché-enté de gu. sur d'arg.; à six croiss. de l'un à l'autre, rangés en deux bandes, les cornes dirigées vers le canton dextre du chef.”
ItalyRome, c. 1775
Where the Cenci Arms Were Recorded
Rome
Map of Italy showing where the Cenci arms are recorded
The Cenci arms were recorded in Rome, 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 Cenci 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 Cenci Family in Italy
The Cenci family name is deeply rooted in the history of Rome, where the lineage became one of the most prominent and controversial noble houses of the city. While the family gained significant notoriety during the Renaissance, their presence in the Roman landscape stretches back much further to the medieval period. They were known for holding high-ranking positions within the Roman administration and the church, which allowed them to accumulate vast wealth and influence over several centuries. By the time the family was firmly established in the records of 1775, they were already recognized as a dynasty that had shaped the social and political fabric of the capital for generations. Their story is often defined by their complex relationship with the papacy and their ability to remain central figures in Roman society despite various scandals and shifts in power.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cencius
A Latin diminutive form derived from the name Crescentius meaning growing.
This name
CenciAn Italian surname originating as a pet form of names like Vincenzo or Crescentius.
also spelled
Senci
Chenchi
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Antonazzi, Giovanni. Beatrice Cenci, 1982
Bertolotti, Antonino. Francesco Cenci e la sua famiglia, 1879
Archivio di Stato di Roma, Tribunale criminale del Governatore, Processi
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
