A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the della Croce family of Italy.
Reg. 0820 · Italian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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'arg. à une croix de douze pointes de gu. C.: un léopard lionné iss. d'or, tenant de ses pattes une massue du même, le gros bout en haut. D.: VICIT LEO DE TRIBU JUDA.”
ItalyMilan, c. 1775
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Map of Italy showing where the della Croce arms are recorded
The della Croce arms were recorded in Milan, 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 della Croce 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 della Croce Family in Italy
The surname della Croce, which translates to "of the cross," carries a long history rooted in the social and religious landscape of northern Italy. By the late eighteenth century, the family was well-established in Milan, a city that served as a major hub for trade and administration under the Austrian Empire. Families with this name often held positions of influence within the local community, contributing to the city's growth during a period of significant cultural change. Because the name is tied to a religious symbol, it likely originated as a way to identify individuals who lived near a prominent wayside cross or served at a local parish. As the family navigated life in Milan in 1775, they were part of a dense urban network where they played active roles in the professional and social life of the region. Their presence in the city records from this era highlights their integration into the historical fabric of Lombardy during the Enlightenment.
della Croce Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Crux
A Latin term referring to a cross or a wooden stake.
This name
della CroceIndicates a family who lived near a prominent cross or roadside shrine.
also spelled
Dellacroc
Dellacroci
dela Kroche
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Crollalanza, Giovan Battista di, Dizionario storico-blasonico delle famiglie nobili e notabili italiane estinte e fiorenti, 1886
Fumagalli, Giuseppe, Milano nel Settecento, 1910
Archivio di Stato di Milano, Stato civile della Restaurazione
Archivio Storico Civico di Milano, Anagrafe storica
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
