A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Maffei family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4435 · Italian, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'or à l'aigle ép. de sa.; au 2 parti: a. d'azur à la bande d'or, ch. de trois roses de gu., bout. d'or; b. de gu. à la bande d'arg., acc. en chef d'un lion d'or, soutenu de la bande, et en p. d'une étoile d'or. Deux cq. cour. C.: 1º un buste d'homme, hab. aux armes du 2 a., coiffé d'un bonnet albanais d'azur, retr. et houppé d'or; 1. d'or et d'azur; 2º un lion iss. d'or; l. d'arg. et de gu.”
Italyc. 1761
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Map of Italy showing where the Maffei arms are recorded
The Maffei arms were recorded in Italy, c. 1761.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Venice.
Venice ran on trade, and its great families were merchants before they were anything else. The city kept a formal list of its noble houses, and a name on that list carried arms as a matter of record.
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.
Francesco Loredan
Sovereign of the period
Francesco Loredan
1752–1762
Reigning in Italy when the Maffei 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 Maffei Family in Italy
The Maffei family name has deep roots in the social and political landscape of northern Italy, particularly within the influential city-states of the Renaissance and Enlightenment eras. While the family established a notable presence in Venice by 1761, their lineage traces back to earlier centuries where they were recognized as members of the urban nobility. Families like the Maffei often rose to prominence through their involvement in trade, law, and the administration of local government. They were frequently connected to the intellectual life of Italian cities, acting as patrons of the arts or serving as high-ranking officials within the Venetian Republic. By the mid-18th century, the name was well-established among the elite classes who helped manage the complex economic and diplomatic affairs of the region. Their history reflects the broader story of Italian families who maintained power through strategic alliances and long-standing contributions to their home cities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'or à l'aigle ép. de sa.; au 2 d'azur à trois roses à quatre feuilles d'arg., rangées en barre. Cq. cour. C.: un buste d'homme, hab. du 2, coiffé d'un bonnet albanais d'azur, retr. et houppé d'or. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et d'azur.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1657
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 Maffei arms are recorded
The Maffei arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1657.
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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Germany in this period.
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
1637–1657
Reigning in Italy when the Maffei 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Maffei Family in Germany
The Maffei family name first appeared in the historical record of Bavaria in 1657, marking the beginning of a long and influential presence in the region. While the name itself has deep roots in northern Italy, the German branch established itself as a prominent force in trade and public life during the seventeenth century. These early family members were known for their success as merchants and financiers, which allowed them to integrate quickly into the social and political structures of the Bavarian state. By settling in cities like Munich, they transitioned from their Mediterranean origins to become key figures in the development of the local economy. Their ability to adapt to a new cultural environment helped them secure a lasting legacy that spanned several generations of service and commerce within Germany.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matthaeus
Derived from the Hebrew name Matityahu meaning gift of God.
This name
MaffeiAn Italian patronymic surname indicating descent from an ancestor named Matthew.
also spelled
Mafei
Maffey
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Della Porta, Teodoro. Della nobiltà di Verona. 1746
Maffei, Scipione. Verona illustrata. 1732
Archivio di Stato di Venezia, Avogaria di Comun, Libro d'oro
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
