A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gennaro family of Italy.
Reg. 1319 · Italian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 au lion naiss. de gu.: au 2 de gu. au chev. d'or.”
NaplesNaples, c. 1775
Where the Gennaro Arms Were Recorded
Naples
Map of Italy showing where the Gennaro arms are recorded
The Gennaro arms were recorded in Naples, c. 1775.
Naples was the largest city in Italy and the seat of a kingdom. Its noble houses were numerous, and the kingdom kept formal lists of the families entitled to arms, which is why so many appear in the records.
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 Gennaro 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 Naples.
Origin & History of the Gennaro Family in Italy
The surname Gennaro is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious landscape of Southern Italy, specifically within the city of Naples. The name is derived from the Latin name Januarius, which honors Saint Januarius, the patron saint of Naples. Because of this strong connection to the city’s primary protector, the name became a common way for families to show their devotion and local identity. By the year 1775, records indicate that families bearing this name were well-established members of the Neapolitan community. During this period, families in Naples often lived in tight-knit neighborhoods where their names reflected their local heritage and religious traditions. As the family grew throughout the late eighteenth century, they became part of the vibrant social fabric of a city that was then one of the largest and most influential urban centers in Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ianuarius
Derived from the Roman god Janus, the deity of beginnings and transitions.
This name
GennaroRefers to someone born in the month of January or dedicated to Saint Januarius.
also spelled
Gennaro-de
Gennaro-von
Gennaroe
Jenaro
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 Napoli, 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
