A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fossati family of Italy.
Reg. 2589 · Italian, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
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)
“Ec. de gu. et d'arg.; à quatre étoiles (8) de l'un à l'autre. C.: un vieillard iss., hab. de sa., capuchonné du même, supp. de sa main dextre une étoile (8) de gu., la sen. appuyée sur son coeur; ledit vieillard adextré de la lettre C et senestré de la lettre F de sa.”
ItalyMilan, c. 1775
Where the Fossati Arms Were Recorded
Milan
Map of Italy showing where the Fossati arms are recorded
The Fossati arms were recorded in Milan, c. 1775.
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 Fossati 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 Fossati Family in Italy
The surname Fossati finds its historical roots in the northern regions of Italy, particularly within the bustling urban landscape of Milan. The name is derived from the Italian word "fossa," which refers to a ditch, a moat, or a defensive trench. This suggests that the earliest members of the family likely lived near a significant waterway or a fortified boundary of the city. By the year 1775, records confirm that the Fossati family was well-established in Milan, where they were active participants in the social and economic life of the region. During this period, the family was deeply integrated into the local culture, often associated with the skilled trades and professional classes that helped shape the development of Lombardy. Their presence in the city during the late 18th century reflects a long history of residency in an area known for its complex network of canals and historical defenses.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fossa
A ditch, trench, or pit derived from the Latin word fossus.
This name
FossatiAn occupational or topographic name for someone who lived near a ditch or worked as a digger.
also spelled
Fossaty
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani, 1978
State Archives of Milan (Archivio di Stato di Milano), Stato Civile della Restaurazione, 1815-1865
Fanfani, Pietro, Vocabolario della lingua italiana, 1891
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mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
