The Mangano Coat of Arms

Coat of arms were developed in the Middle Ages as a means of identifying warriors in battle and tournaments. The present function of Coat of Arms (although still one of identity) serves more to preserve the traditions that arose from its earlier use.
Heraldic artists of old developed thier own unique language to describe an individual Coat of Arms. The Coat of Arms illustrated here was drawn by an heraldic artist from information recorded in ancient heraldic archives.
Research indicates that there are often times a number of different Coats of Arms recorded for a specific surname(as is the case with Mangano, see below). When possible a translation of the Coat of Arms was selected most represented of our surname or it's variant for illustration.
The original description of the Arms(shield) is as follows:

"EC. EN SAUT. D'AZUR ET D'ARG.; A UNE ETOILE D'OR, BR. RN ABIME"

When translated the blazon also describes the original colors of the Mangano Coat of Arms as:

" QUARTERED DIAGONALLY BLUE AND SILVER;
A GOLD STAR PLACED IN THE CENTER "
Paul Mangano from Brisbane Australia was kind enough to email me this version(below) of the Coat Of Arms.
the email reads >
" Sam, I was showing my father ( Salvatore Mangano originally from Capo d' Orlando - Messina ) your web site. He saw your coat of arms and tells me that his father gave him one that looks a little different. We do have a copy of the coat of arms from Italy on tracing paper here, it is just missing at the moment. Although, a few years ago, we used this tracing paper together with a photo to get a framed tapestry coat of arms made up. I have scanned this framed tapestry and attached it for your viewing. Regards, Paul Mangano. " thanks Paul


Sandra Mangano from Pennsylvania USA, mailed me a copy of the family crest that she had. thanks Sandra.
If you look very carefully at all three versions, you can notice the strong similarity

From viewing the above, this particular family crest was recently digitally created by Ralph McGeehan who has copyright. Many thanks to Ralph


There are over one million surnames in use through out the world today. However, less than 75 000 of these names can be associated with a coat of Arms. How the term "Coat of Arms" evolved makes an interesting story. Because wars were almost a continual occurrence during the Middle Ages, more and more armor was added to a knight's battle uniform until the medieval warrior was finally protected from head to toe. The metal suit of armor always included a helmet to protect the head, thus it was virtually impossible to tell one knight from another.
In order to prevent any mishaps on the battlefield, such as one friend injuring another, a means of identification was necessary. A colorful solution first come as knights painted patterns on their battle shields. These patterns were eventually woven into cloth surcoats which were worn over the suit of armor. In fact, many a horse was also seen prancing around in a fancy cloth surcoat with it master's Coat of Arms ablaze on the side.

This colorful identification was certainly displayed with great pride. As more designs were created, it became necessary to register or copyright these designs, to prevent two knights from using the same insignia. Records were kept that gave each knight exclusive rights to his arms. In many cases, records were then compiled listing the family name and exact description of its Coat of Arms. These are called "armorials" or "blazons."
The word "heraldry" is associated with Coat of Arms due to the role of the "herald" in recording the blazons, and comes from a common practice at a medieval sporting event. Tournaments (or jousting contests) were popular during the days of knighthood, and as each soldier was presented at tournament, a herald sounded the trumpet and then announced the knight's achievements and described his Arms. The heralds would then record the Arms as a way of ensuring that a family maintained its protective rights to have and use its individual Arms

' Under most heraldic rules, only first sons of first sons of the recipient of a Coat of Arms are permitted to bear there ancestors arms. Younger sons may use a version of their father's arms, but the rules of heraldry say that they must be changed ("differenced") somewhat.
If the bearer of a Coat of Arms (called an "Arminger") dies without male heirs, his daughter may combine her father's arms with her husbands arms. The process is called "impaling". Although these principles seem very archaic, stiff and formal today, they do give us an idea of the rich, protective tradition which surrounded heraldry through the ages. '



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