Martino Family Crest, Coat of Arms, and Name History

Meaning, Origin, Etymology
The surname Martino came from the Latin name Martinus, which is a derivative of Mars, who was the Roman god of fertility and war.The popularity of the name Martin is due to Saint Martin de Tours, who was one of the best known saints in the Western World. With the spread of Christianity, people named their children after saints in the hope that the children might enjoy that saint’s patronage. Martin is also one of the few saints’ names, other than the names of Old English saints, found in England before the Norman Conquest. This surname has been recorded in some two hundred forms from Martin and Martini to Marti and Martinovich, is of Roman origin. It derives from “Mars”, the god of fertility and war, although it is claimed that “Mars” itself may derive ultimately from the word “mar”, meaning “to gleam”. The original given name has been used in every state in Europe since the 12th century crusades to free the Holy Land from the Muslims. However the main impetus which gave the name such popularity was as a result of the good works of the 14th Century Saint Martin of Tours, in France. It is said that Martin is one of the few saints names which the protestants accepted after the reformation. There are many patronymic forms such as Martinez (Spanish) or Martenssen (Swedish), and diminutives such as Martineau (France) and Martinelli (Italian). Curiously the Polish spellings of Marcinkowski and Marciszewski are locational, originating from a town called Martin, as is the Czech Martinovsky.

Spelling Variations
The variations of Martino include De Martini, De Martinis, De Martino, DeMartini, DeMartinis, DeMartino, Martignon, Martignone, Martignoni, Martin, Martina, Martinati, Martinato, Martinelli, Martinetti, Martini, Martinilli, Martinis, Martino, Martinoni, Martinotti, Martinuzzi, Martinez, Martini, Martino, di Martino and Martin

Early Marriage Records
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Popularity & Geographic Distribution
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Early Bearers of Surname
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History, Genealogy & Ancestry
According to some authors, it comes from the kingdom of Naples; according to others from Florence or Spain. Most likely the Martinez, Martini, Martino or di Martino families are nothing but different branches of the same family, as is demonstrated by the confusion between the surname Martinez and the Martino one attributed the first to the father and the second to the son, as follows . A William, was a senator of Palermo in 1335; a Giuseppe was captain of justice of Caltagirone in 1578-89; an Antonino Onofrio, with the privilege of June II, 1666, obtained the title of Baron of San Giorgio di Morabito; a Giuseppe (and called Martinez after his father Ippolito; his son Tommaso and called Martino) of the barons of S. Giorgio, as husband of Caterina Valdina Alias, daughter of Giovanni Marquis of Rocca Valdina, obtained on 6 March 1742 the investiture of the title of baron of Maurogiovanni he was expeditionary of the Incurables in Palermo 1725 and married Vittoria Romagnolo Texeira; a Salvatore Di Martino and Ortolano occupied the position of captain of justice in Cefalu in 1770-71; a Domenico, who bore the title of baron, we do not know by what right, had the office of treasurer of that city in 1770-71; a Domenico, who bore the title of baron, we do not know by what right, had the office of treasurer of that city in 1771-72; a Tommaso (and called Martino, while his father Giuseppe and his ancestor Ippolito are called Martinez) had on July 17, 1797 investiture of the title of baron of Rocca and Valdina or Maurogiovanni.

The family is generically registered in the Office List Nob. Ital. Of 1922 with the title of Baron of Rocca and Valdina or Maurogiovanni (mpr.) In the person of the Descendants of Tommaso Martino (July 17, 1797).

Source: Italian Historical-Noble Encyclopedia by: Vittorio Spreti

Mottoes
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Grantees
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Notables
Martin of Tours (316–397), one of a dozen saints bearing the name Martino in Italian
Martino da Como, 15th-century culinary maestro (born ca. 1430)
Pope Martin V (c. 1368–1431)
Al Martino (1927–2009), American singer
Donald Martino (1931–2005), American composer
Pat Martino (b. 1944), Italian-American jazz guitarist and composer
Freddie Martino (born 1991), American football player
Gerardo Martino (born 1962), Argentine football manager
Kyle Martino (1981–), American footballer
Luciano Martino (1933–2013), Italian film producer, director and screenwriter
Miranda Martino (1933–), Italian singer and actress
Renato Martino (1932–), Italian Cardinal
Rinaldo Martino (1921–2000), Italian footballer
Sergio Martino (1938–), Italian director and screenwriter
Steve Martino (1959–), American director
Angelina L. “Angel” Martino (b. 1967), American swimmer and captain of the 1996 U.S. Women’s Olympic Swimming team
Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino (b. 1932), Italian Cardinal Deacon and President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
Angelo Martino Colombo (1935-2014), Italian professional footballer
Martino “Tino” Lettieri (b. 1957), Italian former NASL and MISL professional soccer goalkeeper

Symbolism
The meaning of symbols (known as charges) and colors on the Coat of Arms and Crest. These represented the hopes, dreams and ambitions of bearers of this heraldry insignia.

Argent – (Ar’-jent) White or silver. It represents purity, innocence, beauty and gentleness. Azure – A bright blue color which represents truth and loyalty. Lion – The lion is the most popular beast in heraldry. This charge symbolizes dauntless courage, bravery, strength and valor. Mount – A mountain. Means constancy and the connection between heaven and earth. Or – The color gold. It denotes the qualities of generosity and elevation of mind. Sea – Represents an ocean voyage, often as a pilgrim to the Holy Lands. Star – This charge denotes celestial goodness and a noble person.

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Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) Blue, to the golden lion holding a lyre of the same with the front legs.  Residence: Palermo, S. Angelo di Brolo.

2) Blue, with two lions facing each other and counter-climbing a mountain planted over a rough sea, surmounted by 3 stars in the band, all in gold.  Residence: Palermo, S. Angelo di Brolo.