Cavanna are a noble family from the north of Italy.
Origins
It seems that the name first appeared historically in
Genoa
Genoa ( ; it, Genova ; lij, Zêna ). is the capital of the Italian region of Liguria and the List of cities in Italy, sixth-largest city in Italy. In 2015, 594,733 people lived within the city's administrative limits. As of the 2011 Italian ce ...
, and later in
Piacenza
Piacenza (; egl, label= Piacentino, Piaṡëinsa ; ) is a city and in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, and the capital of the eponymous province. As of 2022, Piacenza is the ninth largest city in the region by population, with over ...
. Nearby, a place called Cavanna di Lesignaro is to be found in the vicinity of
Parma
Parma (; egl, Pärma, ) is a city in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna known for its architecture, Giuseppe Verdi, music, art, prosciutto (ham), Parmigiano-Reggiano, cheese and surrounding countryside. With a population of 198,292 ...
. In the center of the triangle Genoa-Piacenza-Parma lies the municipality of
Ferriere
Ferriere ( lij, E Ferrër; Piacentino: ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Piacenza in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about west of Bologna and about southwest of Piacenza, in the Val Nure of the Ligurian Apennines. ...
, which includes the localities of Cassimoreno and Centenaro, and adjacent to the neighbouring municipality of
Farini. This is a montane area where a high concentration of Cavannas exists historically.
Aristocratic patrician lineage and titled nobility
The family has a
coat of arms
A coat of arms is a heraldry, heraldic communication design, visual design on an escutcheon (heraldry), escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the latter two being outer garments). The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central ele ...
, indicating noble origins, and several distinguished noble members through the centuries. They are listed as one of the several noble families of the former Republic of Genoa, and during the
Albergo An Albergo (Alberghi in plural) was a term used during the Renaissance to indicate an organizational structure in which several families linked by blood or a common interest banded together. The different families derived economic, political, or mi ...
period of the governance of Genoa, they formed part of the Albergo De Franchi, one of the 28 Alberghi of the Republic of Genoa.
An Albergo (Alberghi in plural) was an informal grouping, in which several families bonded around a dominant family. Families of an Albergo shared the same political views and economic interests. They usually lived near each other and attended the same churches.
The Cavanna (De Franchi) heraldic arms are portrayed in the ''Libro d'Oro della Nobiltà di Genova'', published in 1920. The Cavannas were also feudal Lords of Castel Gazzo, which castle today survives in the town of
Novi Ligure
Novi Ligure (; lij, Nêuve ; pms, Neuvi ) is a city and ''comune'' north of Genoa, in the Piedmont region of the province of Alessandria of northwest Italy.
The town produces food, iron, steel, and textiles. It is an important junction for both ...
, just north of Genoa, and
Patricians
The patricians (from la, Wikt:patricius, patricius, Greek language, Greek: πατρίκιος) were originally a group of ruling class families in ancient Rome. The distinction was highly significant in the Roman Kingdom, and the early Roman Rep ...
of Genoa.
One of the earliest historical references to the family is found in a record of Ida and Ottobonus de Cavanna of Genoa, during the period 1202–1226. In the last part of the 14th century, one of the three skillful lawyers ("valenti giuristi") commended by the famous lawyer Bartolomeo Bosco was Antonio della Cavanna. He was confirmed as Lord of the castle of Gazzo by the Comune of Genoa on 18 October 1397. During 1423, he was Console of the Comune of Genoa in Caffa and during the 1430 was Vicario in Pera, the Genoa's neighbourhood in Costantinopoli. In the 15th century, Galeazzo Cavanna (died circa 1480) was Signore di Castel Gazzo''
a
patricianship, Patrician of Genoa, and aristocratic
Nobile di
Novi and of
Tortona
Tortona (; pms, Torton-a , ; lat, Dhertona) is a ''comune'' of Piemonte, in the Province of Alessandria, Italy. Tortona is sited on the right bank of the Scrivia between the plain of Marengo and the foothills of the Ligurian Apennines.
History ...
, and he married Orietta Fregoso of Genoa (1453–1494), who had a brother Rinaldo (1454–1498), a
Knight
A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood finds origins in the Gr ...
of
Saint John of
Rhodes
Rhodes (; el, Ρόδος , translit=Ródos ) is the largest and the historical capital of the Dodecanese islands of Greece. Administratively, the island forms a separate municipality within the Rhodes regional unit, which is part of the So ...
(
Knights Hospitaller
The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem ( la, Ordo Fratrum Hospitalis Sancti Ioannis Hierosolymitani), commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller (), was a medieval and early modern Catholic Church, Catholic Military ord ...
, later known as Knights of Malta), and Prior of
Tortona
Tortona (; pms, Torton-a , ; lat, Dhertona) is a ''comune'' of Piemonte, in the Province of Alessandria, Italy. Tortona is sited on the right bank of the Scrivia between the plain of Marengo and the foothills of the Ligurian Apennines.
History ...
. They were children of the
Doge of Genoa
The Doge of Genoa ( lij, Dûxe, ; la, Januensium dux et populi defensor, "Commander of the Genoese and Defender of the People") was the ruler of the Republic of Genoa, a city-state and soon afterwards a maritime republic, from 1339 until the s ...
, Pietro II and his wife Bartolomea Grimaldi of the
House of Grimaldi
The House of Grimaldi ( , also , , ) is the current reigning house of the Principality of Monaco. The house was founded in 1160 by Grimaldo Canella in Genoa and became the ruling house of Monaco when Francesco Grimaldi captured Monaco in 1297 ...
rulers of
Genoa
Genoa ( ; it, Genova ; lij, Zêna ). is the capital of the Italian region of Liguria and the List of cities in Italy, sixth-largest city in Italy. In 2015, 594,733 people lived within the city's administrative limits. As of the 2011 Italian ce ...
and Princes of
Monaco
Monaco (; ), officially the Principality of Monaco (french: Principauté de Monaco; Ligurian: ; oc, Principat de Mónegue), is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Italian region of Lig ...
. A certain Gian Nicola di Gian Maria Cavanna is also recorded in Genoa in 1640.
Domenico Cavanna da Gropallo is found in records dating to 1700 in Casimoren
a small fraction of the ''Comune di Ferriere''. In 1794, Alba Cavanna became the third wife and Countess of Marco Antonio Arcelli (died 1812), Count of Monteventano, Montebissago, Veratto, and Valle Luretta. His sister Nobile Caterina married Nobile Manfredo Cavanna
Pacchiarotti. Their aunt, Nobile Ippolita married Nobile Antonio Cavanna Pacchiarotti (died 1751). Another relative, Nobile Maria Teresa Cavanna Pacchiarotti (died 1748) married Conte Cesare Caracciolo, descendant of Antonio
Caracciolo Caracciolo () is an Italian surname most associated with the noble House of Carácciolo from the Kingdom of Naples.
Other people with the name include:
* Alberto Caracciolo, Argentinian musician
* Andrea Caracciolo, Italian footballer
* Battiste ...
(died 1504), Count of Macerato, Statto, Fiorano, Pozzolo, Fabiano, Raglio and Spettino, Governor of
Pavia
Pavia (, , , ; la, Ticinum; Medieval Latin: ) is a town and comune of south-western Lombardy in northern Italy, south of Milan on the lower Ticino river near its confluence with the Po. It has a population of c. 73,086. The city was the capit ...
, and a Patrician of
Naples
Naples (; it, Napoli ; nap, Napule ), from grc, Νεάπολις, Neápolis, lit=new city. is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan, with a population of 909,048 within the city's adminis ...
who served for the Duke of
Milan
Milan ( , , Lombard: ; it, Milano ) is a city in northern Italy, capital of Lombardy, and the second-most populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of about 1.4 million, while its metropolitan city h ...
.
Don Giuseppe Cavanna was initiator and first director of ''Il Resegone'', the first edition of which appeared in
Lecco
Lecco (, , ; lmo, label=Lecchese, Lècch ) is a city of 48,131 inhabitants in Lombardy, northern Italy, north of Milan. It lies at the end of the south-eastern branch of Lake Como (the branch is named ''Branch of Lecco'' / ''Ramo di Lecco''). ...
on 17 February 1882 as a response to national political turmoil and rampant laicization and
anti-clericalism
Anti-clericalism is opposition to religious authority, typically in social or political matters. Historical anti-clericalism has mainly been opposed to the influence of Roman Catholicism. Anti-clericalism is related to secularism, which seeks to ...
. Don Cavanna ensured a catholic perspective on social problems, influenced by the encyclical of
Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII ( it, Leone XIII; born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci; 2 March 1810 – 20 July 1903) was the head of the Catholic Church from 20 February 1878 to his death in July 1903. Living until the age of 93, he was the second-old ...
, ''
Rerum novarum
''Rerum novarum'' (from its incipit, with the direct translation of the Latin meaning "of revolutionary change"), or ''Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor'', is an encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII on 15 May 1891. It is an open letter, pass ...
'' on rights and duties of capital and labour, and the conditions of the working classes, enunciating workers’ rights and the right to property; the
Roman Question; and in order to fight corruption in public life. Don Cavanna held that ''religion must be the fundamental basis of all values, and that truth and justice should be upheld rigorously''. His legacy endures as the periodical continues in its 127th yea
Coat of arms
The Cavanna arms consist of a shield ''gules a bend argent from the dexter fess to the sinister base, in chief an eagle sable displayed, the head to the dexter, under a crown or.'' This displayed black eagle in chief under a crown was the ''capo dell'Impero'', and derives from
Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick Barbarossa (December 1122 – 10 June 1190), also known as Frederick I (german: link=no, Friedrich I, it, Federico I), was the Holy Roman Emperor from 1155 until his death 35 years later. He was elected King of Germany in Frankfurt on ...
, first of the
Hohenstaufen
The Hohenstaufen dynasty (, , ), also known as the Staufer, was a noble family of unclear origin that rose to rule the Duchy of Swabia from 1079, and to royal rule in the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages from 1138 until 1254. The dynasty ...
dynasty of Emperors, who was crowned by
Pope Adrian IV
Pope Adrian IV ( la, Adrianus IV; born Nicholas Breakspear (or Brekespear); 1 September 1159, also Hadrian IV), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 4 December 1154 to his death in 1159. He is the only Englishman t ...
in 1155. Its origin in Genovese nobility hails from 1161, when the then-ambassador of Genoa to the court of Frederick I in
Pavia
Pavia (, , , ; la, Ticinum; Medieval Latin: ) is a town and comune of south-western Lombardy in northern Italy, south of Milan on the lower Ticino river near its confluence with the Po. It has a population of c. 73,086. The city was the capit ...
was granted that concession. The Cavanna heraldic motto is "''Iurista Sapiens''".
Early migration and diaspora
Today, a concentration of descendant Cavannas is found in the locality of Cassimoreno and the nearby village of Centenaro, near Ferriere, and which lie half-way between Genoa, Piacenza, and Parma. From Centenaro, Carlo Cavanna (1873–1925), left to
Ethiopia
Ethiopia, , om, Itiyoophiyaa, so, Itoobiya, ti, ኢትዮጵያ, Ítiyop'iya, aa, Itiyoppiya officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the ...
, settling in
Eritrea
Eritrea ( ; ti, ኤርትራ, Ertra, ; ar, إرتريا, ʾIritriyā), officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of Eastern Africa, with its capital and largest city at Asmara. It is bordered by Ethiopia ...
in 1888, at a very young age. He was one of the earliest pioneers, in search of prosperity, initially as an agriculturalist with an experimental farm at Godofelassi, just east of
Adi Ugri
Mendefera, (Tigrinya: መንደፈራ) formerly Adi Ugri, is an ancient town which is now the capital city of the Southern Region or Zoba Debub of Eritrea. One World-Nations Online, All countries of the world, Map of Eritrea The town's name der ...
, and south of
Asmara
Asmara ( ), or Asmera, is the capital and most populous city of Eritrea, in the country's Central Region. It sits at an elevation of , making it the sixth highest capital in the world by altitude and the second highest capital in Africa. The ...
. During the early part of the 20th century, and Italy's colonial administration of Eritrea, he directed the construction of the first railway line in Eritrea, and later established a citrus farm at
Ghinda
Ghinda ( ti, ጊንዳዕ) is a town in the Northern Red Sea Region, Northern Red Sea region of Eritrea. It is situated in the Ghinda Subregion, and lies between Asmara and Massawa.
Overview
Ghinda is a major fruit and vegetable growing area and ...
, an important station on the railway. His brother Andrea (1876–1950) remained in Centenaro and is one of several buried in the large Cavanna
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or people. A mausoleum without the person's remains is called a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be consid ...
in Centenaro. Carlo had three children. One took over the Ghinda estate, sold it, and returned to Italy, while the other two and their families left Eritrea during Ethiopian imperial rule, and migrated to
Sudan
Sudan ( or ; ar, السودان, as-Sūdān, officially the Republic of the Sudan ( ar, جمهورية السودان, link=no, Jumhūriyyat as-Sūdān), is a country in Northeast Africa. It shares borders with the Central African Republic t ...
after World War II, and later returned to Europe.
Descendants for this branch of family members are found today in
Pianello Val Tidone
Pianello Val Tidone ( Piacentino: ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Piacenza in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about northwest of Bologna and about southwest of Piacenza.
Pianello Val Tidone borders the following ...
, Centenaro,
Genoa
Genoa ( ; it, Genova ; lij, Zêna ). is the capital of the Italian region of Liguria and the List of cities in Italy, sixth-largest city in Italy. In 2015, 594,733 people lived within the city's administrative limits. As of the 2011 Italian ce ...
,
Livorno
Livorno () is a port city on the Ligurian Sea on the western coast of Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno, having a population of 158,493 residents in December 2017. It is traditionally known in English as Leghorn (pronou ...
,
Novi Ligure
Novi Ligure (; lij, Nêuve ; pms, Neuvi ) is a city and ''comune'' north of Genoa, in the Piedmont region of the province of Alessandria of northwest Italy.
The town produces food, iron, steel, and textiles. It is an important junction for both ...
,
Pisa
Pisa ( , or ) is a city and ''comune'' in Tuscany, central Italy, straddling the Arno just before it empties into the Ligurian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa. Although Pisa is known worldwide for its leaning tower, the cit ...
, Rome, and other parts of Italy, and in England, Germany, and Switzerland.
Many other Cavannas emigrated from Italy to Britain, France,
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires ( or ; ), officially the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires ( es, link=no, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires), is the capital and primate city of Argentina. The city is located on the western shore of the Río de la Plata, on South ...
in Argentina,
Montevideo
Montevideo () is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Uruguay, largest city of Uruguay. According to the 2011 census, the city proper has a population of 1,319,108 (about one-third of the country's total population) in an area of . M ...
in Uruguay and to
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
,
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...
, and
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
in the USA.
Notable contemporary members of the Cavanna family
*
Carlo Cavanna, (1873–1925), Italian agricultural pioneer and first director of railway in Eritrea.
*
Don Giuseppe Cavanna, (died 1902), Italian, founder and director of ''Il Resegone'', a Catholic periodical.
*
Elise Cavanna
Elise Alyse Cavanna (January 30, 1902 – May 12, 1963) was an American film actress, stage comedian, dancer, and fine artist. She went by the following names: Elise Seeds, Alyse Seeds, Elise Armitage, Elise Cavanna, and Elise Welton.
Stage an ...
, (1902–1963), late American actress.
*
Nicola Cavanna, (1916–1980), Italian, late Bishop of
Rieti
Rieti (; lat, Reate, Sabino: ) is a town and ''comune'' in Lazio, central Italy, with a population of 47,700. It is the administrative seat of the province of Rieti and see of the diocese of Rieti, as well as the modern capital of the Sabina re ...
and of
Asti
Asti ( , , ; pms, Ast ) is a ''comune'' of 74,348 inhabitants (1-1-2021) located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, about east of Turin in the plain of the Tanaro River. It is the capital of the province of Asti and it is deemed t ...
.
*
François Cavanna
François Cavanna (22 February 1923 – 29 January 2014) was a French author and satirical newspaper editor.
He contributed to the creation and success of ''Hara-Kiri'' and ''Charlie Hebdo''. He wrote in a variety of genres including reportage, ...
, (1923-2014), French author and novelist.
*
Bernard Cavanna
Bernard (''Bernhard'') is a French and West Germanic masculine given name. It is also a surname.
The name is attested from at least the 9th century. West Germanic ''Bernhard'' is composed from the two elements ''bern'' "bear" and ''hard'' "brave ...
, French composer and musical director.
*
D. Cavanna, Italian geophysicist.
*
J. M. Valdés Cavanna, Spanish general.
*
Arturo Cavanna, Recognized Spanish professor and researcher on technology and education.
*
Stefano Cavanna, Member of the Italian High Council of Judiciary , elected by the Italian Parliament in June 2018,.
[https://www.Liguria notizie.it/due-genovesi-eletti-al-csm-cavanna-in-quota-lega-e-benedetti-in-quota-m5s/2018/07/21/304097/]
References
*''Libro d'Oro della Nobiltà di Genova'', by Angelo M. G. Scorza, Genoa, 1 October 1920; re-published by Orsini de Marzo, 2004 ().
*Civil registry records for Cassimoreno and Centenaro in the Comune di Ferriere, Piacenza, Italy
*Italian military archives for Eritrea, 1930-1945
avanna entries*
Roman Catholic
Roman or Romans most often refers to:
*Rome, the capital city of Italy
*Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD
*Roman people, the people of ancient Rome
*'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
diocesan records for Asmara (Eritrea), and Khartoum (Sudan)
avanna entries
External links
Castel Gazzo in Novi LigureDon Giuseppe Cavanna and ''Il Resegono'' periodical
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cavanna
Families of Genoa
Italian noble families