A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Venier family of Italy.
Reg. 8078 · Italian, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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)
“Fascé de gu. et d'arg.; au chef d'arg., ch. à dextre d'un lion de St.-Marc de gu., la tête entourée d'une auréole d'or.”
VeniceVenice, c. 1775
Where the Venier Arms Were Recorded
Venice
Map of Italy showing where the Venier arms are recorded
The Venier 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 Venier 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 Venier Family in Italy
The Venier family holds a significant place in the history of Venice, with records confirming their presence in the city as early as the late eighteenth century. The name itself is thought to be linked to the Latin word venator, which translates to hunter. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family may have been known for their skills in hunting or their roles as gamekeepers in the regions surrounding the Venetian lagoon. As the family became established in the city, they integrated into the complex social and political life of the Venetian Republic. Over time, members of the family became known for their contributions to trade and local governance, helping to shape the unique culture of the city during the centuries that followed.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Venetus
Latin term referring to a person from the region of Venetia.
This name
VenierAn occupational or habitational surname denoting an individual originating from the Venetian territory.
also spelled
Venyer
Venyay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tassini, Giuseppe, Curiosità veneziane ovvero origini delle denominazioni stradali di Venezia, 1863
Archivio di Stato di Venezia, Anagrafe della popolazione di Venezia, 1775
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
