A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the San Filippo family of Italy.
Reg. 3194 · Italian, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“D'azur au lion d'or, cour. du même; à la bande de gu., br. sur le tout.”
SicilySicily, c. 1775
Where the San Filippo Arms Were Recorded
Sicily
Map of Italy showing where the San Filippo arms are recorded
The San Filippo arms were recorded in Sicily, c. 1775.
Sicily was ruled in turn by Normans, Germans, French and Spanish, and each left landed families behind. The island kept formal lists of its noble houses, which is why so many Sicilian names carry recorded 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.
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 San Filippo 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 Sicily.
Origin & History of the San Filippo Family in Italy
The surname San Filippo is a classic example of a devotional name, originating from the deep religious traditions of southern Italy and Sicily. It translates literally to Saint Philip, and families often adopted this name to honor the apostle or to express a specific spiritual dedication. By the year 1775, records confirm that the family was well-established within the Sicilian landscape, a period when the island was a vibrant crossroads of Mediterranean culture under the rule of the Bourbon kings. During this era, families like the San Filippos were typically rooted in local agricultural communities or small towns, where they played essential roles in the social and economic life of their parishes. Because surnames were often passed down through generations in these tight-knit villages, the name served as a way to identify a family’s lineage and their connection to the local church. Over time, the name became a permanent marker of their Sicilian identity, reflecting a history tied to the land and the enduring influence of faith in daily life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Philippos
Ancient Greek for lover of horses.
This name
San FilippoRefers to a devotee or follower of Saint Philip.
also spelled
Filippo
Sanfilipo
San Filipo
Philip
Related arms
Raggisame arms
St.-Pierresame arms
Spens de Bodensimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Collura, Matteo, Sicilia sconosciuta, 1984
De Felice, Emidio, Dizionario dei cognomi italiani, 1978
Archivio di Stato di Palermo, Stato Civile della Restaurazione
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
