A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Giustiniani family of Italy.
Reg. 0882 · Italian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à un château sommé de trois tourelles d'arg., ouv. de sa.; au chef d'or, ch. d'une aigle (ou aigle iss.) de sa., cour. d'or.”
ItalyGènes, c. 1603
Where the Giustiniani Arms Were Recorded
Gènes
Map of Italy showing where the Giustiniani arms are recorded
The Giustiniani arms were recorded in Gènes, c. 1603.
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.
Carlo Emanuele I, Duke of Savoy
Sovereign of the period
Carlo Emanuele I, Duke of Savoy
1580–1630
Reigning in Italy when the Giustiniani 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 Giustiniani Family in Italy
The Giustiniani family name holds a significant place in the history of the Republic of Genoa, where the clan rose to prominence as one of the most powerful and wealthy merchant dynasties in the Mediterranean. The family roots trace back to the medieval period, and by the early 17th century, they were firmly established as a pillar of Genoese society. In 1603, members of the family were deeply involved in the complex political and financial life of the city, often serving as high-ranking officials or influential bankers who helped shape the republic’s economic future. Their name became synonymous with the vast trade networks that connected Genoa to distant ports, and they played a vital role in maintaining the city's status as a major European power. Through strategic marriages and successful business ventures, the Giustiniani family secured a lasting legacy that influenced the cultural and administrative landscape of the region for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Iustinianus
Derived from the Latin name Iustinus meaning belonging to Justus or just.
This name
GiustinianiRefers to a descendant or follower of someone named Justinian, signifying justice or righteousness.
also spelled
Gyustiniani
Giustiniany
Joostiniani
Justinian
Giustiniano
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Grendler, Paul F., The Renaissance in Italy: A Social and Cultural History of the Rinascimento, 2004
Petti Balbi, Giovanna, Genova medievale vista dai contemporanei, 2003
Archivio di Stato di Genova, Archivio Segreto, 1603
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
