A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Magnani family of Italy.
Reg. 9309 · Italian, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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'arg. à un bras, arm. de sa., mouv. du coupé, brandissant un cimeterre; au 2 barré d'or et de gu.”
ItalyLegnago, c. 1775
Where the Magnani Arms Were Recorded
Legnago
Map of Italy showing where the Magnani arms are recorded
The Magnani arms were recorded in Legnago, 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 Magnani 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 Magnani Family in Italy
The Magnani family name is deeply rooted in the history of northern Italy, particularly within the region of Veneto. By the year 1775, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of Legnago, a town strategically positioned along the Adige River. The name itself is derived from the Italian word *magnano*, which historically referred to a locksmith or a metalworker. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family likely earned their living through skilled craftsmanship and trade. As the family grew in Legnago, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the development of the town during a period of significant agricultural and commercial growth. Their presence in this area reflects the broader movement of families who settled in prosperous river towns to build stable lives through their specialized professional skills.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Magnus
Latin term meaning great, large, or important.
This name
MagnaniDerived from a nickname for a large or significant person.
also spelled
Manyani
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivio di Stato di Verona, Stato delle anime della parrocchia di San Martino di Legnago, 1775
Dante Olivieri, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani, 2001
Emidio De Felice, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani, 1978
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armA person of action, industrious and laborious
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
