A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Farnese family of Italy.
Reg. 7501 · Italian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'or à six fleurs-de-lis d'azur; aux 2 et 3 parti: a. de gu. à la fasce d'arg.; b. bandé d'or et d'azur, à la bord. de gu. A un pai de gu., br. sur l'écartelé et ch. de l'ombelle papale d'or, hr. sur deux clés passées en saut., celle à dextre d'or et celle à sen. d'arg. Sur le tout de l'écu un écusson aux armes de Portugal avec leur bord. chargée de tours. Cq. cour. C.: une licorne iss. et reg. d'arg., coll. d'or.”
Italyc. 1545
Where the Farnese Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Farnese arms are recorded
The Farnese arms were recorded in Italy, c. 1545.
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.
Pietro Lando
Sovereign of the period
Pietro Lando
1538–1545
Reigning in Italy when the Farnese 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 Farnese Family in Italy
The Farnese family originated in the region of Lazio, specifically near the town of Orvieto and the shores of Lake Bolsena. During the Middle Ages, they rose from local landowners to become a powerful force in Italian politics. By the time the family established a notable presence in Venice around 1545, they had already secured significant influence through strategic marriages and high-ranking positions within the Catholic Church. Their rise was fueled by their ability to manage vast estates and navigate the complex rivalries between the Papacy and neighboring city-states. As they expanded their reach into major cultural hubs like Venice, the family became known for their immense wealth and their role as patrons of the arts. This transition from regional nobility to influential urban figures allowed them to shape the political and cultural landscape of Renaissance Italy for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
farnus
Latin term for the oak tree or holm oak.
This name
FarneseDerived from a place name associated with the abundance of oak trees.
also spelled
Farnesse
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Fragnito, Gigliola, Storia di una famiglia: i Farnese, 1997
Ronzani, Mauro, I Farnese: origini e ascesa di una grande famiglia, 2005
Archivio di Stato di Parma, Carteggio Farnesiano, 1545
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
