A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fortuna family of Italy.
Reg. 9445 · Italian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 un chien braque ramp. d'arg., coll. du champ.”
Italyc. 1775
Where the Fortuna Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Fortuna arms are recorded
The Fortuna arms were recorded in Italy, c. 1775.
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.
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
Sovereign of the period
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
1763–1778
Reigning in Italy when the Fortuna 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 Fortuna Family in Italy
The surname Fortuna is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of Italy, carrying a meaning that translates directly to luck or good fortune. While the name appears in various regions, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Venice by 1775. During this period, Venice was a bustling center of trade and artistic innovation, providing a unique environment for families to thrive in commerce and local governance. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person considered lucky or prosperous, eventually becoming a permanent family identifier passed down through generations. By the late 18th century, the Fortuna family was part of the intricate social fabric of the Venetian Republic, contributing to the city's long history as a gateway between Mediterranean cultures.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fortuna
Latin term referring to luck, chance, or fate.
This name
FortunaDerived from the Roman goddess of fortune, representing good luck and prosperity.
also spelled
Fortunna
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 Venezia, Anagrafe di Venezia, Sezione di San Marco
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greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
