A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Forma family of Italy.
Reg. 8323 · Italian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au lion d'arg., acc. de deux fleurs-de-lis d'or, 1 en chef à sen. et 1 en p. à dextre.”
NaplesNaples, c. 1775
Where the Forma Arms Were Recorded
Naples
Map of Italy showing where the Forma arms are recorded
The Forma 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 Forma 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 Forma Family in Italy
The surname Forma carries a deep connection to the vibrant history of Southern Italy, with documented roots tracing back to the city of Naples in the late eighteenth century. During the year 1775, the family was already established within the social and economic fabric of this bustling Mediterranean port. The name itself is derived from the Latin word forma, which originally referred to a mold, a shape, or a physical form. In the context of medieval and early modern Italian society, such a name was often used as a descriptive occupational title for artisans, such as those who worked with clay, metal, or stone to create specific shapes. By the time the family appeared in the Neapolitan records of the 1700s, they were likely part of the skilled urban class that helped sustain the city’s reputation for craftsmanship and trade. Their presence in Naples during this era places them at the heart of a kingdom undergoing significant cultural and administrative shifts, reflecting a long lineage rooted in the industrious spirit of the Italian peninsula.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Forma
Latin term referring to a mold, shape, or physical appearance.
This name
FormaAn occupational surname for a craftsman who worked with molds, such as a founder or potter.
also spelled
Forma
di Formma
di Formae
dee Forma
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
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.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
