A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cicala family of Italy.
Reg. 8091 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
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)
“De gu. à l'aigle d'arg., cour. d'or; à la bord. comp. de seize pièces d'arg. et d'azur, chaque compon d'arg. ch. d'une cigale d'or, posée en pal. Cq. cour. C.: trois pl. d'aut., une d'arg. entre deux de gu.”
ItalyGènes, c. 1775
Where the Cicala Arms Were Recorded
Gènes
Map of Italy showing where the Cicala arms are recorded
The Cicala arms were recorded in Gènes, 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 Cicala 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 Cicala Family in Italy
The surname Cicala carries a long and distinguished history tied closely to the maritime power of Genoa. The name itself is derived from the Italian word for cicada, which suggests that the original family members may have been known for their lively nature or perhaps a distinct vocal quality. By the year 1775, the Cicala family was firmly established within the social and political fabric of the Republic of Genoa. During this era, the family played an active role in the city’s bustling trade networks and civic administration. As prominent residents of a major Mediterranean port, they were likely involved in the complex web of commerce and diplomacy that defined Genoese life in the eighteenth century. Their presence in the city records from this period reflects a family that had successfully integrated into the urban elite, contributing to the enduring legacy of one of Italy’s most influential historical maritime centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cicada
A large insect known for its loud, shrill chirping sound.
This name
CicalaA nickname likely given to a talkative or noisy person.
also spelled
Cikala
Chikala
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Grendi, Edoardo. La Repubblica aristocratica dei Genovesi: Politica, carità, religione. 1987
Archivio di Stato di Genova, Archivio Segreto, Sezione Storica
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eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
