A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Vidovich family of Italy.
Reg. 1044 · Italian, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cometA great event foretold, and swift renown
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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: au 1 coupé, d'azur à une comète en pal d'or, sur gu. à un dextrochère, arm. d'arg., la main de carn. brandissant un sabre d'arg., garni d'or; à la fasce d'or, br. sur le coupé; au 2 tranché, d'azur à trois étoiles (8) d'or, 2 et 1, sur arg. à un croiss. de gu.; à la bande de gu., br. sur le tranché, ch. de trois fleurs-de-lis d'or, posées chacune en barre. Cq. cour. C.: quatre pl. d'aut.: d'azur, d'or, de gu. et d'arg. L.: à dextre d'or et d'azur, à sen. d'arg. et de gu. - Ou: Parti: au 1 coupé, d'azur à une comète d'or, posée en bande, sur gu. à un dextrochère, arm. d'arg., la main de carn. brandissant un sabre d'arg., garni d'or; à la fasce d'arg., br. sur le coupé; au 2 d'azur à la bande d'arg., ch. de trois fleurs-de-lis d'or, posées chacune en barre, et côtoyée en chef de trois étoiles (6) d'or, et en p. d'un croiss. du même, posé en bande, les cornes dirigées vers le canton sen. du chef.”
DalmatiaDalmatia, c. 1753
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Map of Italy showing where the Vidovich arms are recorded
The Vidovich arms were recorded in Dalmatia, c. 1753.
Dalmatia was a string of walled towns along the Adriatic coast, each with its own leading families. Sea trade made them wealthy, and the towns kept lists of the houses entitled to 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Italy in this period.
Charles III of Spain
Sovereign of the period
Charles III of Spain
1734–1759
Reigning in Italy when the Vidovich 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 Dalmatia.
Origin & History of the Vidovich Family in Italy
The surname Vidovich is a patronymic name, which means it was originally formed by adding a suffix to a father’s given name. In this case, the name is derived from the Slavic name Vid, which is a variation of the Latin name Vitus, meaning life or vital. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the Dalmatian region along the Adriatic coast. During this period, Dalmatia was a cultural crossroads influenced by both Venetian administration and local Slavic traditions. Families living in this area often worked as sailors, merchants, or farmers, contributing to the vibrant maritime economy of the coastal towns. The presence of the Vidovich name in local records from 1753 suggests that the family was deeply rooted in the social and religious life of the community, likely participating in the parish systems that documented births, marriages, and deaths throughout the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vid
Derived from the Slavic name Vit, meaning life or vitality.
This name
VidovichA patronymic surname meaning son of Vid, signifying one descended from a person named Life.
also spelled
Vydovich
Vidovick
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kulenović, Tvrtko. Povijest prezimena u Dalmaciji. 1998
Šimunović, Petar. Hrvatska prezimena: podrijetlo, značenje, rasprostranjenost. 2006
State Archives in Zadar (Državni arhiv u Zadru), Matice krštenih i vjenčanih (Parish registers of baptisms and marriages), 1750–1760
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
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
cometA great event foretold, and swift renown
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
