A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Spady family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2244 · French, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Fascé d'arg. et de sa. de quatre pièces, chaque fasce d'arg. ch. d'un lion léopardé de gu.; au chef d'azur, ch. d'une bande de gu., surch. de trois trèfles d'or, mouvants de sa ligne inférieure, et acc. de deux annelets d'or.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Spady arms are recorded
The Spady arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1663.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Spady 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Spady Family in France
The history of the Spady family in France is deeply rooted in the historical province of Lorraine. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were established in this region, which served as a vital crossroads between French and Germanic cultures. During the seventeenth century, Lorraine was a landscape shaped by frequent border shifts and the aftermath of the Thirty Years' War. Families living in this area often navigated a complex social environment where local traditions blended with the influence of the Holy Roman Empire. The presence of the Spady name in these early parish and civil records suggests that the family was part of the resilient population that rebuilt the region during a time of significant political transition. Their life in Lorraine reflects the broader experience of families who maintained their identity while living in a territory that was constantly evolving under the pressure of European power struggles.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à deux épées d'arg., passées en saut.”
ItalyLucques, c. 1775
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Map of Italy showing where the Spady arms are recorded
The Spady arms were recorded in Lucques, 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 France when the Spady 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 Spady Family in Italy
The history of the Spady family name in Italy is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of the Tuscany region. By the year 1775, records confirm that members of the family were established residents of Lucca, a city known for its long history of independence and trade. During this period, Lucca served as a hub for families who were often involved in the local economy and the civic life of the republic. The name likely evolved from regional dialects or occupational descriptions common to the area during the late eighteenth century. As the family lived within the city walls, they participated in the daily traditions and social structures that defined life in a prosperous Italian city-state. Their presence in Lucca suggests that the family was part of a stable community that valued record-keeping and local heritage. This early documentation provides a clear starting point for understanding how the family name became integrated into the historical fabric of northern Italy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Espada
A sharp-edged weapon or sword used for combat.
This name
SpadyAn occupational surname for a swordsman or a maker of blades.
also spelled
Spadda
Spade
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Meurthe-et-Moselle, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Cabourdin, Guy, Terres et hommes en Lorraine 1648-1789, 1977
Lepage, Henri, Les communes de la Meurthe: journal historique des villes, bourgs, villages, hameaux et censes de ce département, 1853
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
swordJustice, and military honour
