A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gatti family of Italy.
Reg. 7780 · Italian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'or à l'aigle de sa., cour. du champ; au 2 sous un ciel au nat., un chat d'arg., pass. sur une terrasse de sin. et tenant entre ses dents une souris de sa.”
ItalyMilan, c. 1775
Where the Gatti Arms Were Recorded
Milan
Map of Italy showing where the Gatti arms are recorded
The Gatti 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 Gatti 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 Gatti Family in Italy
The surname Gatti originates from the Italian word for cats, which likely served as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor who possessed feline traits such as agility, stealth, or a sharp gaze. By the late 18th century, the family was well-established in the bustling city of Milan. During this period, Milan was a center of trade and intellectual growth under the influence of the Austrian Empire. Families like the Gatti were often involved in the city's vibrant artisan guilds or local commerce, contributing to the urban development of Northern Italy. As the family grew, they became deeply woven into the social fabric of the Lombardy region, living through the significant political shifts that defined Milanese life in the years leading up to the Napoleonic era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cattus
Latin term for a cat or feline animal.
This name
GattiA medieval nickname for a person with cat-like agility or stealthy characteristics.
also spelled
Gaty
Gati
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
