A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Formentini family of Austria.
Reg. 5942 · Austrian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 d'arg. à trois porcs de sa., l'un sur l'autre; au 2 de gu. à la fasce d'arg. C.: un demi-vol du 2. L.: d'arg. et de sa.”
Austriac. 1357
Where the Formentini Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Formentini arms are recorded
The Formentini arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1357.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1357
Granting Authority for the Formentini Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Charles IV
Sovereign of the period
Charles IV
1355–1378
Reigning in Austria when the Formentini arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Formentini Family in Austria
The Formentini family name has deep roots in the Alpine region, with historical records placing the family in Tyrol as early as 1357. During the Middle Ages, the family established themselves as prominent figures within the social and political landscape of this mountainous territory. The name likely evolved from local linguistic traditions, reflecting the family's long-standing connection to the land and their status among the regional nobility. As the centuries progressed, members of the family expanded their influence beyond Tyrol, eventually settling in areas such as Friuli. Their early history is defined by their ability to navigate the complex power dynamics of the Holy Roman Empire, allowing them to maintain their standing across generations. By securing land and serving in administrative roles, the Formentini family became a lasting part of the history of the borderlands between modern-day Italy and Austria.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
formica
Latin term for an ant.
This name
FormentiniDerived from a nickname for a busy, industrious, or small person.
also spelled
Formentini
Tolmain
Biglia
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Czoernig, Carl von, Gorizia, la contea principesca di Gorizia e Gradisca, 1873
Archivio di Stato di Gorizia, Fondo Formentini
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
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
