Map of England showing where the Giannetta arms are recorded
The Giannetta arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Giannetta arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Giannetta Family in England
The name Giannetta originates from Italy as a diminutive form of the name Gianni, which itself is a variation of Giovanni or John. Historically, this name functioned as a way to distinguish younger family members or those with a smaller stature within a community. By the early 17th century, members of the family had traveled from their Mediterranean roots to establish a presence in the coastal settlement of Gloucester by 1620. These early settlers were likely drawn to the area by the thriving maritime industry and the rich fishing grounds of the North Atlantic. As they integrated into this new environment, the family helped shape the local culture through their expertise in trade and seafaring. Over time, the name evolved from a personal identifier into a stable surname that connected generations of descendants to their ancestral history and their pioneering life in early colonial America.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Johannes
Hebrew origin meaning Yahweh is gracious
This name
GiannettaA diminutive form of Giovanna or Gianna, signifying a feminine version of John.
also spelled
Gwynnett
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
Fucilla, Joseph G. Our Italian Surnames. 1949
Massachusetts State Archives. Colonial Records of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. 1620–1686
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
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
