A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cerra family of Italy.
Reg. 1246 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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'arg. à deux fasces vivrées de gu.; au chef du premier, ch. d'une tête de lion d'or.”
ItalyRome, c. 1775
Where the Cerra Arms Were Recorded
Rome
Map of Italy showing where the Cerra arms are recorded
The Cerra 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 Cerra 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 Cerra Family in Italy
The surname Cerra is deeply rooted in the Italian language, likely originating as a topographic name for someone who lived near a wax-producing area or a place characterized by specific types of vegetation. By the late 18th century, the family was well-established in Rome, a city that served as a major cultural and administrative hub during the Enlightenment. Records from 1775 indicate that members of the Cerra family were active participants in the social and economic life of the city during a time when Rome was undergoing significant architectural and urban renewal. As residents of the Papal States, these early ancestors lived through a period of transition where the influence of the church and the rise of secular governance shaped the daily lives of Roman citizens. This historical presence suggests that the family was integrated into the urban fabric of one of Europe’s most influential capitals, contributing to the local community long before the unification of modern Italy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cera
Latin term referring to beeswax or a wax seal.
This name
CerraAn occupational name for a maker of wax candles or a wax sealer.
also spelled
Serra
Cera
Related arms
Serravariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
Archivio di Stato di Roma. Stato delle Anime, Parrocchia di San Lorenzo in Lucina. 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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
