A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Leone family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1636 · French, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Coupé de gu. sur arg.; à la fasce d'azur, br. sur le coupé; le gu. ch. d'un lion naiss. d'arg., mouv. de la fasce. C.: le lion iss., cour. d'or. L. d'arg. et de gu. L'écu posé sur l'estomac d'une aigle ép. de sa., chaque tête cour. d'or.”
Francec. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Leone arms are recorded
The Leone arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Leone arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Leone Family in France
The surname Leone carries a rich history that traces back to the rugged landscapes of Brittany, where records confirm the family was established by 1663. In the French context, the name is closely linked to the Latin word for lion, which served as a common nickname for individuals known for their strength or bravery. During the seventeenth century, families in the Brittany region often lived in tight-knit rural communities where surnames helped distinguish people in local parish registers. As the family settled into this coastal province, they likely participated in the traditional agricultural and maritime life that defined the area. Over time, the name evolved alongside the French language, reflecting the cultural shifts of the region while maintaining its connection to the proud identity of its early ancestors.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur au lion d'arg., cour. d'or.”
ItalyPadoue, c. 1775
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Map of Italy showing where the Leone arms are recorded
The Leone arms were recorded in Padoue, 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 France when the Leone 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 Leone Family in Italy
The surname Leone is deeply rooted in the Italian language, serving as a direct reference to the lion, a symbol of strength and courage that was frequently used as a personal name during the Middle Ages. Families carrying this name often emerged from the social shifts of northern Italy, where urban centers became hubs for trade and administration. By the late eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the Leone family were well-established residents of Padua. At this time, Padua was a significant intellectual and cultural center under the influence of the Venetian Republic. Families in this region often played active roles in the local economy or the professional guilds that defined city life. The presence of the Leone name in 1775 suggests a lineage that was integrated into the civic fabric of the Veneto region, reflecting a history tied to the growth and stability of Italian city-states during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Leo
Latin word meaning lion
This name
LeoneA surname derived from a nickname for a brave or fierce person.
also spelled
Leoni
Layone
Related arms
Leonvariant spelling
Léon de Bourgerelvariant spelling
Léon des Ourmeauxvariant spelling
Léon de Trévéretvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
