A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chirico family of Italy.
Reg. 5280 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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, d'or à l'aigle de sa., bq. et m. de gu., sur arg. plein; à la fasce de gu., br. sur le coupé et ch. de trois couronnes d'or. Cq. cour. C.: l'aigle, iss. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu. (et 2.”
DalmatiaDalmatia, c. 1775
Where the Chirico Arms Were Recorded
Map of Italy showing where the Chirico arms are recorded
The Chirico arms were recorded in Dalmatia, c. 1775.
Dalmatia was a string of walled towns along the Adriatic coast, each with its own leading families. Sea trade made them wealthy, and the towns kept lists of the houses entitled to arms.
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 Chirico 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 Dalmatia.
Origin & History of the Chirico Family in Italy
The family name Chirico is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Adriatic region, with documented evidence placing family members in Dalmatia as early as 1775. During this period, Dalmatia served as a vital crossroads where Italian, Slavic, and Venetian cultures blended together. The name itself likely evolved from the Greek word *kyriakos*, which translates to "of the Lord" or "belonging to the Lord." This suggests that the name may have originally been used as a title or a descriptor for individuals associated with church service or religious devotion. As the family established their presence in Dalmatian coastal towns, they became part of a vibrant maritime society that relied on trade and cultural exchange across the Mediterranean. By settling in this region, the early Chirico family members participated in the complex social shifts that defined the late eighteenth century, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the diverse heritage of the Balkan coast.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kyriakos
Derived from the Greek word for lord or master.
This name
ChiricoA patronymic or occupational name indicating someone belonging to the Lord or church.
also spelled
Chyrico
Kirico
Kiriko
Shiriko
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Fisković, Cvito. Dalmatinske studije. 1975
State Archives in Zadar (Državni arhiv u Zadru), Spisi obitelji i osoba (Family and Personal Papers), 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
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
