A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Pessina family of Austria.
Reg. 2205 · Austrian, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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: au 1 d'arg. à un lion ramp., au nat., cour. d'or, cont.; au 2 fascé d'azur et d'or, de huit pièces. A une tour grisâtre, aj. de deux fenêtres de sa., l'une sur l'autre, ouv du même, mouv. de la p. et br. sur le parti. Cq. cour. C.: un lion iss., au nat., cour. d'or. L.: à dextre d'arg. et d'azur, à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
Austriac. 1774
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Map of Austria showing where the Pessina arms are recorded
The Pessina arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1774.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1774
Granting Authority for the Pessina Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Pessina arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Pessina Family in Austria
The surname Pessina originates from the northern regions of Italy and the bordering areas of the Alps, where it has been documented for several centuries. By the late 18th century, members of the family were firmly established in the Tyrol region, a mountainous area known for its complex history of shifting borders between Italian and German-speaking territories. The name itself is likely topographic in nature, often associated with individuals who lived near specific geographic features or small settlements in the Lombardy or Alpine foothills. During the 1700s, families like the Pessinas were frequently involved in the local agricultural and trade networks that connected the Italian peninsula to the Austrian Empire. As they moved through these rugged landscapes, they maintained their identity while adapting to the cultural influences of the diverse communities found in the heart of the Alps.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Pessinus
Derived from the Latin term for a place of worship or shrine.
This name
PessinaA locative surname originally denoting someone who lived near a specific shrine or sacred site.
also spelled
Pessina
Branconi
Pessina de Brankonee
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Emidio De Felice, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani, 1978
Joseph Karlmann Brechenmacher, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen Familiennamen, 1957
Tiroler Landesarchiv (Tyrol State Archives), Standesbücher der Pfarreien (Parish registers)
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
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lionCourage, strength and royalty
