A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Falconieri family of Italy.
falconOne eager and quick in pursuitJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à un faucon ess. au nat.”
The Falconieri arms were recorded in Piedmont, c. 1775.
Piedmont was Alpine and river country in north-western Italy, ruled from Turin. Its noble houses were listed formally by the state, 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.
Reigning in Italy when the Falconieri arms are first recorded.
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.
The Falconieri family name is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Italy, with its origins tied to the medieval tradition of occupational surnames. The name is derived from the Italian word *falconiere*, which refers to a person who practiced falconry, a prestigious sport and method of hunting that was highly favored by the nobility and the elite classes during the Middle Ages. By the time the family was firmly established in the Piedmont region by 1775, they were part of a long-standing tradition of families who had transitioned from their ancestral roles into local governance and land management. Living in Piedmont, a region known for its strategic importance and complex political history, the Falconieri family became integrated into the social fabric of northern Italy. Their presence in the late 18th century reflects a period of stability where many families solidified their status through trade, agriculture, and service to the local administration.
A bird of prey known for its hunting speed and agility.
