A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Leli family of Italy.
Reg. 1541 · Italian, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
legStrength and swiftness
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Parti, d'un coupé de sin. sur gu., et d'arg. plein: à deux pattes d'aigle d'or, passées en saut., les serres en haut, br. en chef sur le parti, et surm. d'une tête de léopard d'or; et en p. un membre d'aigle d'or, le genou à dextre, la serre en bas, br. sur le parti et soutenu d'un tertre de sin.”
ItalyUdine, c. 1775
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Map of Italy showing where the Leli arms are recorded
The Leli arms were recorded in Udine, 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 Leli 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 Leli Family in Italy
The Leli family name has deep roots in the Friuli region of northeastern Italy, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of Udine by 1775. During the eighteenth century, Udine served as a vital cultural and commercial hub under the influence of the Republic of Venice. Families living in this area often played active roles in the local economy, which relied heavily on trade, agriculture, and the skilled craftsmanship that defined the region. The name likely evolved as a localized variation of names common to the Italian peninsula, reflecting the linguistic shifts typical of the Venetian and Friulian dialects. By establishing themselves in a prominent city like Udine, the early Leli family members were part of a stable urban society that valued record-keeping and civic participation. This historical presence suggests that the family was well-integrated into the social fabric of the city during a time of significant transition in European history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lelius
A Roman family name of uncertain etymological origin.
This name
LeliA patronymic or diminutive form derived from the ancient Roman cognomen Lelius.
also spelled
Lealy
Lealli
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivio di Stato di Udine, Stato Civile della Restaurazione
Joppi, Vincenzo, Storia di Udine, 1885
Corgnali, Giovanni Battista, Udine: guida storica ed artistica, 1927
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
legStrength and swiftness
lionCourage, strength and royalty
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
legStrength and swiftness
lionCourage, strength and royalty
