Search for content in message boards

ABC's of the Italian Nobility

ABC's of the Italian Nobility

Posted: 9 Jul 2013 1:57AM GMT
Classification: Query
The titled nobility of Italy includes not only those nobles created by the Royal House of Savoy, since the Kingdom of Italy was established in 1861, but also those created by the German, French and Austrian Emperors as Kings of Italy (Lombardy); the Kings of Naples, Sicily and Sardinia; the Grand Dukes of Tuscany and Milan; the dukes of Modena, Parma and Lucca and the Doges of Venice and Genoa et cetera… The hereditary titles are Prince (principe), Duke (duca), Marquis (marchese), Count (conte), Viscount (visconte), Baron (barone), Lord (signore), Noble (nobile), Patrician (patrizio), and Hereditary Knight Bachelor (cavaliere ereditario). Despite the fact that titles were abolished in 1947 by the Italian Republic, in practice, socially and by courtesy, titles are used now for the most part, just as in the days of the monarchy. Roman titles or those conferred by the Pope (Papal titles) together with those granted by the Sovereign Republic of San Marino remain unaffected by the law of 1947. If one would like to research an Italian title, one should start with the Elenco Ufficial della Nobiltá Italiana, published by the President of the Council of Ministers. Until 1948, the Consulta Araldica (College of Arms) governed heraldic matters in the Kingdom of Italy, since most titled families were armigerous, publications by the Consulta Araldica are very helpful when researching the titled nobility of Italy.See this page for more information on the Consulta Araldica. https://www.facebook.com/pages/LIBRO-DORO-DELLA-NOBILTA-ITAL...

Recent decades have witnessed an increasingly widespread interest in coats of arms and titles of nobility, especially among Italian descendants abroad, many of whom have been deceived by heraldic or genealogical research firms (some, ironically, operated by noble families) into believing themselves to be armigerous or even titled. Also, please be aware that real Italian noble titles may not be bought. Please do not fall prey to fake titles on e-bay.
per page

Find a board about a specific topic