A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ferraris family of Italy.
Reg. 9844 · Italian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à la croix d'or, accostée en chef de deux fleurs-de-lis d'arg. et en p. de deux roses du même.”
NaplesNaples, c. 1775
Where the Ferraris Arms Were Recorded
Naples
Map of Italy showing where the Ferraris arms are recorded
The Ferraris arms were recorded in Naples, c. 1775.
Naples was the largest city in Italy and the seat of a kingdom. Its noble houses were numerous, and the kingdom kept formal lists of the families entitled to arms, which is why so many appear in the records.
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 Ferraris 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 Naples.
Origin & History of the Ferraris Family in Italy
The surname Ferraris originates from the Latin word ferrum, which means iron. This name was traditionally given to people who worked as blacksmiths or metalworkers during the Middle Ages. Because iron was essential for making tools, weapons, and horseshoes, these craftsmen held a respected position in their local communities. By the time the family was documented in Naples in 1775, the name had evolved from a simple job description into a stable hereditary surname. Families with this name were often integrated into the urban life of southern Italy, where they contributed to the skilled trades and professional classes that supported the growing city. Over many generations, the Ferraris name became a permanent marker of the family’s history and their ancestral connection to the vital craft of metalworking.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ferrum
The Latin word for iron.
This name
FerrarisAn occupational surname for a blacksmith or someone who worked with iron.
also spelled
Deferrari
de Feraris
Ferraris
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
Fucile, Francesco. Dizionario storico dei cognomi in Italia. 2002
Archivio di Stato di Napoli, Stato Civile della Restaurazione
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
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
