Italian Family Crests

In Italy, coats of arms were borne by the noble and patrician classes. The nobility of Italy consisted of individuals and families who were recognized by the Italian citystates (Venice, Milan, Florence, etc. ) since the Middle Ages and later by the Kings of Italy during the late 19th and early twentieth centuries. Patricians originally a group of ruling class families in ancient Rome, they were they only ones who could exercise many political functions. In the centuries after the fall of the empire, with the rise of European towns in the 12th 13th centuries, the patriciate became a group of families who were again the governing wealthy families. They were found in the Italian citystates and maritime republic. Centuries later, the term became somewhat synonymous with the upper Bourgeoisie. Additionally, some Italian were granted nobility and arms through the Holy Roman Emperors. In some cases, the Papacy would elevate individuals to the ranks of nobility through ecclesiastic prom