A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grimaldi family of Italy.
Reg. 1128 · Italian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“d'arg. et de gu. Cq. d'or. C.: une fleur-de-lis d'or, entre une palme et un rameau de laurier. T.: deux moines de l'ordre de St.-Augustin, la tête nue, chacun brandissant une épée. D.: DEO JUVANTE. Manteau d'azur, doublé d'herm., sommé d'une couronne princière doublée d'azur [Comp. Gouyon.]”
Italyc. 1725
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Map of Italy showing where the Grimaldi arms are recorded
The Grimaldi arms were recorded in Italy, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Venice.
Venice ran on trade, and its great families were merchants before they were anything else. The city kept a formal list of its noble houses, and a name on that list carried arms as a matter of record.
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.
Victor Amadeus II of Savoy
Sovereign of the period
Victor Amadeus II of Savoy
1675–1730
Reigning in Italy when the Grimaldi 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 Grimaldi Family in Italy
The Grimaldi family name traces its deep roots to the medieval period in Italy, where it emerged as a prominent noble house. While the family is most famously associated with the long-standing rule of Monaco, historical records confirm that various branches of the family established themselves in major trade hubs throughout the Italian peninsula. By the early 18th century, members of the family were well-documented residents of Venice, a city that served as a vital center for commerce and diplomacy in 1725. During this time, the family was known for its involvement in maritime activities and political life, which allowed them to maintain influence across different regions. Their presence in Venice highlights how the family expanded from their original territories to become key players in the social and economic networks of the Mediterranean world.
Grimaldi Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Grimwald
Derived from the Germanic elements for mask or helmet and ruler.
This name
GrimaldiA surname of Germanic origin signifying a powerful protector or helmeted leader.
also spelled
Grimaldie
Grimaldee
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Edwards, John. The Grimaldis of Monaco: A History. 2017
Gastaldi, Mario. Storia delle famiglie nobili italiane. 1955
Archivio di Stato di Venezia, Anagrafe dei cittadini veneziani, 1725
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