A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Corelli family of Italy.
Reg. 4421 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un coeur de gu.; à la fasce d'arg., ch. de trois croisettes de gu. et br. sur le tout; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois fleurs-de-lis d'or.”
Italyc. 1725
Where the Corelli Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Corelli arms are recorded
The Corelli arms were recorded in Italy, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Venice.
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.
Victor Amadeus II of Savoy
Sovereign of the period
Victor Amadeus II of Savoy
1675–1730
Reigning in Italy when the Corelli 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 Corelli Family in Italy
The surname Corelli is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of Northern Italy, with historical records confirming the presence of the family in Venice by 1725. The name is believed to have originated as a patronymic or a descriptive term, likely derived from the Italian word "core," meaning heart, which may have been used as a term of endearment or to describe a person with a spirited nature. During the eighteenth century, Venice served as a vibrant hub for trade, art, and music, providing an environment where families like the Corellis could establish themselves within the city's complex social hierarchy. While the family was active in the Venetian Republic, the name also appears in other regions of Italy, suggesting that the lineage may have spread through the movement of merchants and artisans across the Italian peninsula. By settling in Venice, the early members of this family became part of a legacy defined by the city's unique maritime history and its commitment to the arts.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Corellius
A Roman family name derived from the Latin word for heart.
This name
CorelliAn Italian patronymic or locative surname indicating descent from a person named Corellius.
also spelled
Coreli
Corelly
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
Fucilla, Joseph G. Our Italian Surnames. 1949
Archivio di Stato di Venezia, Anagrafi di cittadini e forestieri
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
