A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gambacorta family of Italy.
Reg. 6556 · Italian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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'arg. à trois fasces de sa.; au lion d'or, br. sur le tout.”
ItalyPise, c. 1775
Where the Gambacorta Arms Were Recorded
Pise
Map of Italy showing where the Gambacorta arms are recorded
The Gambacorta arms were recorded in Pise, 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 Gambacorta 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 Gambacorta Family in Italy
The Gambacorta family name is deeply rooted in the history of Pisa, a city known for its maritime power and influence in medieval Italy. The name itself is descriptive, likely originating from a nickname that translates to "bent leg" or "crooked leg," which was a common way to identify individuals in early Italian society. By the late 18th century, the family was well-established within the social and political fabric of the Pisan region. Historical records from 1775 confirm their presence in the city during a time when Pisa was transitioning under the rule of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. During this era, families like the Gambacortas were often involved in local administration, trade, or the management of agricultural estates in the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Their longevity in the region suggests they were a stable part of the local community for generations, contributing to the cultural and economic life of the city long before the records of the late 1700s were formalized.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
gamba and corta
Derived from the Latin gamba meaning leg and curtus meaning short.
This name
GambacortaA descriptive nickname for an individual with short legs or a short stature.
also spelled
Gambacorte
Gambacorto
Gambacorti
Gambakorta
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bonaini, Francesco. Memorie inedite intorno alla vita e ai fatti di Francesco Gambacorta. 1872
Archivio di Stato di Pisa, Archivio della Famiglia Gambacorta
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
