A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gaddi family of Italy.
Reg. 3571 · Italian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 à la croix florencée d'or.”
ItalyFlorence, c. 1775
Where the Gaddi Arms Were Recorded
Florence
Map of Italy showing where the Gaddi arms are recorded
The Gaddi arms were recorded in Florence, 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 Gaddi 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 Gaddi Family in Italy
The Gaddi family name is deeply rooted in the history of Florence, Italy, where members of the lineage were established as prominent citizens by the late eighteenth century. The name itself is likely derived from a shortened form of personal names such as Gaddo or Gherardo, which were common throughout the Tuscan region during the Middle Ages. As the family grew in influence, they became integrated into the social and economic fabric of the city, often participating in the professional guilds that defined Florentine life. By 1775, the Gaddi name was well-recognized within local administrative and civic records, reflecting a family that had successfully navigated the complexities of city politics and trade for generations. Their presence in Florence highlights a long-standing commitment to the region, where they contributed to the unique cultural identity of one of Italy’s most historic cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gaddo
A medieval diminutive form of the Germanic name Gaddo or Gad.
This name
GaddiA patronymic surname derived from the personal name Gaddo, meaning son of Gaddo.
also spelled
Gaddy
Gadi
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Brucker, Gene, Renaissance Florence, 1969
Litta, Pompeo, Famiglie celebri italiane, 1819
Targioni Tozzetti, Giovanni, Relazioni d'alcuni viaggi fatti in diverse parti della Toscana, 1768
Archivio di Stato di Firenze, Archivio della famiglia Gaddi
Archivio di Stato di Firenze, Cittadinario fiorentino
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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
