Map of Italy showing where the Copass arms are recorded
The Copass arms were recorded in Naples, c. 1775.
Naples was the largest city in Italy and the seat of a kingdom. Its noble houses were numerous, and the kingdom kept formal lists of the families entitled to arms, which is why so many appear in the records.
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 Copass 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 Naples.
Origin & History of the Copass Family in Italy
The history of the Copass family name is deeply rooted in the vibrant culture of eighteenth-century Naples. By 1775, records indicate that members of the family were already established residents of this historic Italian port city. During this era, Naples served as a major center for trade, art, and intellectual growth under the Bourbon monarchy. Families living in the city at this time were often connected to the bustling local economy or the administrative functions of the kingdom. While the name has evolved in spelling as the family moved across different regions and countries, its origins reflect the social landscape of southern Italy during the late Enlightenment. These early ancestors lived through a period of significant political change, which likely influenced the family's decision to eventually seek new opportunities in other parts of the world.
Copass Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Compas
Derived from the Latin word for a measurement or a pair.
This name
CopassRefers to a person who worked as a surveyor or used measuring tools.
also spelled
Capasse
Kapasso
Capass
Kapaso
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivio di Stato di Napoli, Stato delle Anime (1775)
Colletta, Pietro, Storia del Reame di Napoli dal 1734 sino al 1825 (1834)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
