A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Spatafore family of Italy.
Reg. 3147 · Italian, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Parti de gu. et d'arg.; à un senestrochère, arm. d'arg., br. sur le parti, la main de carn. tenant une épée au nat. en pal. - Ou: De gu. à un senestrochère, arm. d'arg., la main de carn. tenant une épée d'arg., garnie d'or.”
VeniceVenice, c. 1775
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Map of Italy showing where the Spatafore arms are recorded
The Spatafore arms were recorded in Venice, c. 1775.
Venice ran on trade, and its great families were merchants before they were anything else. The city kept a formal list of its noble houses, and a name on that list carried arms as a matter of record.
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 Spatafore 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 Venice.
Origin & History of the Spatafore Family in Italy
The surname Spatafore finds its roots in the linguistic landscape of Italy, likely emerging as a descriptive name that evolved over many generations. By the year 1775, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Venice, a city that served as a major crossroads for trade and cultural exchange during that era. Given the maritime nature of Venice, it is probable that the family was involved in the bustling mercantile activities or the specialized craftsmanship that defined the Venetian Republic. The name itself suggests a connection to the Italian word for sword, which may imply that early ancestors were either skilled metalworkers or individuals noted for their service in local defense. As the family navigated the complex social structure of eighteenth-century Venice, they contributed to the vibrant history of a city known for its unique blend of artistic achievement and commercial success.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
spada
A sharp-edged weapon used for combat or defense.
This name
SpataforeDerived from a nickname for a swordsman or a maker of blades.
also spelled
Spatafory
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archivio di Stato di Venezia, Anagrafe dei cittadini veneziani
Candidus, G., Storia della Repubblica di Venezia, 1850
Tassini, G., Curiosità veneziane ovvero origini delle denominazioni stradali di Venezia, 1863
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
