Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à trois fasces d'or, acc. de trois bes. du même, rangés en chef.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gualtieri family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à trois fasces d'or, acc. de trois bes. du même, rangés en chef.”

The Gualtieri arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1769.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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.
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
The surname Gualtieri traces its roots to the Germanic personal name Walter, which translates to ruler of the army. While the name is often associated with Italian regions, its presence in Germany highlights the movement of families across European borders during the eighteenth century. By 1769, records confirm that members of the Gualtieri family were established in Bavaria. At this time, Bavaria was a center for trade and agriculture, and families with this name likely integrated into the local community as skilled laborers or merchants. The family name evolved as it moved through different regions, reflecting the linguistic shifts common in Central Europe during the late 1700s. This history shows how a name of Germanic origin could travel through various cultures before finding a stable home in the Bavarian landscape.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Fascé d'or et d'azur; au chef du dernier, ch. de trois bes. mal-ordonnés du premier.”

The Gualtieri arms were recorded in Rome, 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.
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.
The name Gualtieri traces its roots to the Germanic personal name Walter, which arrived in Italy during the period of migrations and the subsequent influence of Frankish and Lombard rulers. Over time, the name evolved into a distinct Italian surname as it was passed down through generations. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Rome, a city that served as a central hub for administration and social life in the Papal States. Records from 1775 indicate that members of the Gualtieri family were integrated into the urban fabric of the capital, likely participating in the professional or civic life of the era. As the family grew, they became part of the complex social landscape of Italy, moving through the historical shifts that eventually led to the unification of the country. Their presence in Rome during this time suggests a family that was well-settled and connected to the evolving institutions of the eighteenth century.
Derived from Germanic elements meaning army and ruler or power.