Map of France showing where the Polizzi arms are recorded
The Polizzi arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Polizzi 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 Polizzi Family in France
The family name Polizzi is deeply rooted in the history of the Mediterranean, with its origins most commonly traced to the island of Sicily. The name is a topographic surname, which means it was originally used to identify people who lived in or came from the town of Polizzi Generosa. By the early 18th century, members of the family had expanded their reach far beyond their Italian origins. Historical records confirm that Polizzi family members were established in the region of Bretagne, France, by 1725. This migration suggests that the family was likely involved in the active trade networks or military movements that connected the Italian states to the French Atlantic coast during that period. Over time, the name evolved as it moved across borders, reflecting the mobility and adaptability of the family as they settled into new communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Polis
Greek term for a city or fortified settlement.
This name
PolizziDerived from a topographic descriptor for someone who lived in or near a city.
also spelled
Palizzy
Palitzi
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archivio di Stato di Palermo, Stato Civile della Restaurazione
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
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.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
