A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Colleoni family of Italy.
Reg. 5191 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Tranché de gu. sur arg.; à trois coeurs renv. de l'un à l'autre, 2 en chef rangés en bande, et 1 en p. à dextre; à une bande d'azur, bordée d'or, br. sur le”
VeniceVenice, c. 1857
Where the Colleoni Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Colleoni arms are recorded
The Colleoni arms were recorded in Venice, c. 1857.
Venice ran on trade, and its great families were merchants before they were anything else. The city kept a formal list of its noble houses, and a name on that list carried arms as a matter of record.
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.
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 Venice.
Origin & History of the Colleoni Family in Italy
The Colleoni family name has deep roots in the history of northern Italy, particularly within the region of Lombardy and the city of Bergamo. Historians trace the family’s rise to prominence during the Middle Ages, when they established themselves as powerful landowners and influential military figures. The name itself is often associated with a strong legacy of leadership, as various family members served as captains and commanders for the Republic of Venice. By the mid-19th century, the family had solidified its presence in Venetian society, maintaining significant social and political ties within the city by 1857. Their history reflects the broader evolution of Italian noble families who transitioned from medieval feudal lords into key participants in the urban life and governance of major Italian city-states.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
coglione
A term derived from the Latin coleus meaning testicle or scrotum.
This name
ColleoniAn augmentative form historically used as a nickname implying virility or boldness.
also spelled
Coleoni
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Belotti, Bortolo. La vita di Bartolomeo Colleoni. 1951
Corio, Bernardino. L'Historia di Milano. 1554
Archivio di Stato di Venezia, Anagrafe e Stato Civile
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
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
