A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Spinelli family of Italy.
Reg. 4002 · Italian, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
vairProtection, and the winter fur
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
VairMeans: Protection
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'azur au lion d'or; au 2 de vair plein.”
ItalyFlorence, c. 1775
Where the Spinelli Arms Were Recorded
Florence
Map of Italy showing where the Spinelli arms are recorded
The Spinelli arms were recorded in Florence, 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 Italy when the Spinelli 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 Spinelli Family in Italy
The Spinelli family name traces its roots to the vibrant culture of medieval Italy, where it emerged as a prominent surname in the city of Florence. The name itself is derived from the Italian word "spinello," which refers to a small thorn or a type of fish, suggesting that the original family members may have been identified by a specific physical trait or a trade related to these items. By the time the family was firmly established in Florence during the late 18th century, they had become deeply integrated into the city’s social and economic life. During this period, the Spinelli family participated in the bustling commerce and civic governance that defined Florentine society. Their presence in official records from 1775 highlights their role as established citizens who contributed to the ongoing development of one of Europe’s most influential cultural centers.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
spina
Latin term meaning thorn or spine.
This name
SpinelliA diminutive form referring to someone who lived near a thorny thicket or had a prickly personality.
also spelled
Spineli
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bargellini, Piero, Firenze nelle sue leggende e nei suoi ricordi, 1954
Archivio di Stato di Firenze, Stato Civile della Restaurazione, 1775
Goldthwaite, Richard A., The Economy of Renaissance Florence, 2009
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
