Map of France showing where the Taranto arms are recorded
The Taranto arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 Taranto 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Taranto Family in France
The family name Taranto carries a deep connection to the Franche-Comté region of eastern France, where records confirm the family was established by at least 1663. During the seventeenth century, this area was a unique crossroads of culture and politics, as it transitioned from the influence of the Spanish Habsburgs to the French crown. Families living in this mountainous borderland often navigated complex social changes as the region became more integrated into the kingdom of France. The name itself suggests a historical link to the Mediterranean world, likely originating from the ancient city of Taranto in southern Italy. It is probable that ancestors migrated northward during the Renaissance or early modern period, moving through trade routes or military service before settling in the Franche-Comté countryside. By the mid-1600s, the Taranto family had become part of the local fabric, living as established residents in a province known for its distinct legal traditions and resilient mountain communities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à la fasce de gu., acc. de trois aigles d'azur. Cq. cour. C.: un vol à l'antique, aux armes de l'écu.”
TyrolTyrol, c. 1772
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Map of Austria showing where the Taranto arms are recorded
The Taranto arms were recorded in Tyrol, c. 1772.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Taranto Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in France when the Taranto arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Tyrol.
Origin & History of the Taranto Family in Austria
The family name Taranto first appears in the historical records of the Tyrol region of Austria around 1772. During this period, the name was likely brought to the area by individuals migrating from the Italian peninsula, as the name itself is derived from the city of Taranto in the Apulia region. Settling in the mountainous landscape of Tyrol, these early family members integrated into a society defined by alpine trade routes and local agricultural traditions. Because Tyrol served as a vital crossroads between the German-speaking north and the Italian-speaking south, families like the Tarantos often acted as cultural bridges. They participated in the local economy and social structures of the Habsburg Empire, establishing a presence that persisted through the shifting borders and political changes of the late eighteenth century.
Taranto Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Tarentum
Ancient Greek colony located in the region of Apulia, Italy.
This name
TarantoA locative surname denoting an individual who originated from the city of Taranto.
also spelled
Taranto
Taranti
Tarante
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Doubs, Registres paroissiaux de Franche-Comté, 1663
Festery, Lucien, Histoire de la Franche-Comté, 1922
Gauthier, Jules, Dictionnaire des communes du département du Doubs, 1886
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
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
