A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Legato family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 5490 · German, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à une tête de léopard de gu., acc. de trois fleurs-de-lis d'azur, posées en pairle, les pieds dirigés vers le coeur de l'écu; les deux fleurs-de-lis en chef touchant la tête de léopard. Cq. cour. C.: deux lances de tournoi d'azur, arm. d'arg. L.: d'arg. et de gu.”
HolsteinHolstein, c. 1765
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 Germany showing where the Legato arms are recorded
The Legato arms were recorded in Holstein, c. 1765.
Holstein was farming country between the North Sea and the Baltic, held in large estates. The same families kept the same land for generations, and generations of holding is what fills a register.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Legato arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
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.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Holstein.
Origin & History of the Legato Family in Germany
The family name Legato carries a unique history rooted in the northern German region of Holstein. By 1765, records confirm that members of the family were already established within this area, which was then a territory marked by a blend of Danish and German cultural influences. During the eighteenth century, Holstein served as a vital crossroads for trade and agriculture, placing the family in a landscape defined by expansive rural estates and growing market towns. Because the name itself suggests a connection to the Italian word for tied or bound, it is likely that the family name originated as a descriptive term for a specific trade or a geographic feature of the land they occupied. As the family navigated life in northern Germany, they were part of a society that prioritized local craftsmanship and community ties. This early presence in Holstein suggests that the family was well-integrated into the regional economy and social structure long before the major migrations of the following century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a cross calvary on three degrees gu”
EdinburghEdinburgh, c. 1748
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 Scotland showing where the Legato arms are recorded
The Legato arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1748.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Germany when the Legato arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Edinburgh.
Origin & History of the Legato Family in Scotland
The history of the Legato family in Scotland is anchored in the bustling urban environment of Edinburgh during the mid-eighteenth century. By 1748, members of the family were established residents of the city, living during a time when Edinburgh was undergoing a major transformation known as the Scottish Enlightenment. During this period, the city was expanding beyond its medieval walls, and families like the Legatos were part of a growing class of citizens who participated in the professional and social life of the capital. While the name itself carries musical connotations derived from Italian terminology, its presence in Scotland suggests a history of integration into the local community. These early ancestors likely navigated the crowded streets of the Old Town, contributing to the daily commerce and social fabric of a city that was rapidly becoming a center for trade and intellectual exchange. Their documented presence in 1748 places them at the heart of a pivotal era in Scottish history, marking the family as part of the diverse population that helped shape the character of modern Edinburgh.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a saltire engr. az. an escallop or”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1620
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 England showing where the Legato arms are recorded
The Legato arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Germany when the Legato arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Legato Family in England
The family name Legato carries a distinct history that traces back to the rural landscapes of Norfolk, England, by the early 17th century. While the name itself has roots in the Italian word for "tied" or "bound," its presence in East Anglia suggests a migration pattern common during the period of shifting trade and religious movement in Europe. By 1620, records indicate that members of the family had established themselves within the local community, likely participating in the agricultural or merchant activities that defined the Norfolk region at the time. These early settlers lived through a transformative era in English history, navigating the social and economic changes that occurred just before the English Civil War. Their presence in the county reflects the broader story of families who integrated into English life while maintaining a name that hinted at their continental origins.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
ligatus
Latin term meaning bound, tied, or connected.
This name
LegatoRefers to a musical style characterized by smooth, connected notes played without separation.
also spelled
Legatt
Leggett
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Schleswig-Holstein State Archives (Landesarchiv Schleswig-Holstein), Kirchenbücher der evangelisch-lutherischen Kirchengemeinden in Holstein, 1765
Jensen, Wilhelm, Die Geschichte des Landes Schleswig-Holstein, 1958
Krohn, Peter, Bevölkerungsgeschichte von Schleswig-Holstein im 18. Jahrhundert, 1972
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
