A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grassi family of Italy.
Reg. 0689 · Italian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Parti: au 1 d'or à la demi-aigle de sa., diadémée de gu., mouv. du parti; au 2 de gu. à la demi-aigle d'arg., cour. d'or, mouv. du parti et surm. d'un chef de gu., ch. de trois fleurs-de-lis d'arg., rangés entre les quatre pendants d'un lambel d'azur.”
ItalyBologne, c. 1775
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Italy showing where the Grassi arms are recorded
The Grassi arms were recorded in Bologne, 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 Grassi 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 Grassi Family in Italy
The Grassi family name is deeply rooted in the history of northern Italy, particularly within the city of Bologna. The name itself is derived from the Italian word grasso, which translates to fat or prosperous. In medieval and early modern Italy, such names often functioned as descriptive nicknames that highlighted a person’s physical stature or their perceived wealth and success in trade. By the late 18th century, the Grassi family was well-established in the social and civic life of Bologna. Historical records confirm their presence in the city by 1775, a time when Bologna was a major center for commerce, education, and the arts within the Papal States. Families like the Grassi often held positions of influence, contributing to the local economy and the cultural development of the region through their involvement in guilds and city administration.
Grassi Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Crassus
Latin term meaning thick, fat, or dense.
This name
GrassiA descriptive nickname for a person of stout or heavy physical build.
also spelled
Grassy
Grasi
Related arms
Grassyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Fanti, Mario, Le famiglie nobili bolognesi, 1975
Archivio di Stato di Bologna, Stato civile della restaurazione, 1775
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
