A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gherardi family of Italy.
Reg. 7513 · Italian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à la croix engr. d'azur, cant. de quatre étoiles (8) du même.”
ItalyFlorence, c. 1775
Where the Gherardi Arms Were Recorded
Florence
Map of Italy showing where the Gherardi arms are recorded
The Gherardi 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 Gherardi 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 Gherardi Family in Italy
The Gherardi family name originates from the Germanic personal name Gerhard, which combines the words for spear and brave. Over many centuries, this name spread across Italy and became firmly established in the cultural heart of Florence. By the late eighteenth century, the family had become a recognized part of the Florentine social fabric. Historical records confirm their presence in the city by 1775, a time when Florence was undergoing significant administrative and social changes under the rule of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. During this period, families like the Gherardi often participated in the local merchant guilds or held positions in the city government. Their history reflects the broader story of Italian families who built stable lives through trade, civic duty, and deep connections to their local neighborhoods.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gerhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning spear and hardy or brave.
This name
GherardiAn Italian patronymic surname signifying descendant of the brave spearman.
also spelled
Gherardy
Gerardi
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivio di Stato di Firenze, Stato Civile della Restaurazione
Borselli, Girolamo, Cronica gestorum ac factorum memorabilium civitatis Bononie, 1911
De Felice, Emidio, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani, 1978
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
