A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Guadagni family of Italy.
Reg. 8352 · Italian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 la croix engr. d'or. C.: une licorne iss. d'arg. D.: EXALTABITUR.”
ItalyFlorence, c. 1775
Where the Guadagni Arms Were Recorded
Florence
Map of Italy showing where the Guadagni arms are recorded
The Guadagni arms were recorded in Florence, 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 Guadagni 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 Guadagni Family in Italy
The Guadagni family established themselves as a prominent force in the social and political landscape of Florence during the late eighteenth century. While the name is deeply rooted in the Tuscan region, the family rose to significant influence through their strategic involvement in local commerce and civic administration. By the year 1775, they were well-integrated into the Florentine elite, often participating in the complex network of trade and patronage that defined the city during the twilight of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Historical records suggest that the family name originated from a descriptive term related to the concept of gain or profit, which reflects their historical reputation as shrewd and successful merchants. This focus on economic activity allowed them to secure a stable position within the urban hierarchy, ensuring that their name remained influential in Florentine public life for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Guadagnare
To gain, earn, or acquire through labor or effort.
This name
GuadagniRefers to a person who is a gainer, earner, or someone who acquires wealth.
also spelled
Guadagno
Guadagnini
Guadagnino
Gwadanyi
Gwadagni
Related arms
Barlemontsimilar arms
Corbusiersimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Litta, Pompeo. Famiglie celebri italiane. 1819
Archivio di Stato di Firenze, Tratte di famiglie e cittadini
Passerini, Luigi. Genealogia e storia della famiglia Guadagni. 1873
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
