A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fedeli family of Italy.
Reg. 8092 · Italian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Coupé d'or sur gu., le gu. ch. d'un dragon ailé à deux pattes d'or.”
Italyc. 1725
Where the Fedeli Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Fedeli arms are recorded
The Fedeli 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 Fedeli 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 Fedeli Family in Italy
The surname Fedeli originates from the Italian word "fedele," which translates to faithful or loyal. Historically, this name was often given as a descriptive nickname to individuals who were known for their steadfast devotion to a leader, a community, or a religious cause. By the early 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in Venice, a city defined by its complex social hierarchy and maritime trade. Living in Venice during the 1720s suggests that the family was likely integrated into the urban fabric of the Venetian Republic, which was then a center for art, diplomacy, and commerce. Members of the family during this era would have navigated a society governed by strict civic regulations and a vibrant merchant culture. Over time, the name transitioned from a simple descriptor of character into a permanent hereditary surname that identified the family across different regions of Italy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fidelis
Latin adjective meaning faithful, loyal, or trustworthy.
This name
FedeliDerived from the Latin term for a faithful or devoted person.
also spelled
Fedeli
Fedellie
Fedellin
Fedelee
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
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dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
