A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Guglielmo family of Italy.
Reg. 6815 · Italian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
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)
“D'azur à un obélisque de gu. sur son piédestal d'arg., surm. d'un casque du même portant en cimier une aigle de sa. et accosté de deux fleurs-de-lis d'or.”
ItalyRome, c. 1775
Where the Guglielmo Arms Were Recorded
Rome
Map of Italy showing where the Guglielmo arms are recorded
The Guglielmo 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.
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 Guglielmo 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 Guglielmo Family in Italy
The name Guglielmo is a classic Italian given name that eventually became a surname, originating from the Germanic name Wilhelm. This name combines the words for will and protection, which suggests that early ancestors were viewed as resolute guardians or protectors. By the time the family was documented in Rome in 1775, the name had already been established for centuries across the Italian peninsula. Families bearing this name often lived in urban centers where they worked as skilled tradespeople or merchants. Because the name was derived from a popular personal name, it was passed down through generations as a way to honor family heritage. The presence of the Guglielmo family in Rome during the late 18th century places them in a city that was a major hub for art, religion, and trade. During this era, families in Rome often maintained strong ties to their local parishes, which served as the primary record keepers for births and marriages.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Willahelm
Germanic elements meaning will or desire and helmet or protection.
This name
GuglielmoA resolute protector or one who is protected by their own strong will.
also spelled
Guglielmo
Guglielmini
Guglielmotti
Gulyelmi
Williamson
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
Fucilla, Joseph G. Our Italian Surnames. 1949
Archivio Storico Capitolino, Stato delle Anime
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