A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Golla family of Italy.
Reg. 5142 · Italian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 d'arg. sur azur, l'arg. ch. d'un ours pass. de gu. Cq. cour. C.: trois pl. d'aut.: de gu., d'arg. et d'azur. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'arg. et d'azur.”
DalmatiaDalmatia, c. 1775
Where the Golla Arms Were Recorded
Map of Italy showing where the Golla arms are recorded
The Golla arms were recorded in Dalmatia, c. 1775.
Dalmatia was a string of walled towns along the Adriatic coast, each with its own leading families. Sea trade made them wealthy, and the towns kept lists of the houses entitled to arms.
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 Golla 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 Dalmatia.
Origin & History of the Golla Family in Italy
The family name Golla has deep roots in the coastal region of Dalmatia, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1775. During this period, Dalmatia was a vibrant crossroads of culture under the influence of the Venetian Republic and the surrounding Mediterranean trade routes. Families like the Gollas often lived in towns along the Adriatic Sea, where they likely participated in the local maritime economy, agriculture, or the bustling trade networks that connected the Balkans to Italy. As the region transitioned through various political changes in the late 18th century, the Golla family remained part of the local social fabric, maintaining their presence in the coastal communities through generations of growth and migration. Their history reflects the resilience of families who navigated the complex social and political shifts of the Adriatic coast during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Guglielmo
Derived from the Germanic name Wilhelm meaning resolute protector.
This name
GollaA regional variant or diminutive form originating from the personal name William.
also spelled
Gola
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Zadar (Državni arhiv u Zadru), Matice krštenih (Baptismal Registers)
State Archives in Split (Državni arhiv u Splitu), Zbirka matičnih knjiga (Collection of Vital Records)
Bratulić, Josip, Povijest dalmatinskih obitelji (History of Dalmatian Families), 1998
Novak, Grga, Povijest Splita (History of Split), 1978
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
