Subject: Gherardini family from Florence

I understand that the Florentine historian ,
Gamurrini in
("Istoria Genealogoca delle Famiglie Mobili Toscane ed Umbre." published
Florence, 1671)
gives a full account of the Gherardini family,
as originating from Arezzo ( Arretium in Etruria)
as far back as 800, and afterwards being at Siena, then in the Val d'Elsa, &
finally settling in Florence. ( I have NOT seen this publication)

He apparently gives the descent as :

A.D. 910 Rainerio

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A.D. 950 Ramberto

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A.D. 990 Rainerio

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A.D. 1020 Gherardo.

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A.D. 1050 Cece

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A.D. 1090 Uguccione

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A.D. 1120 Ottaviano.

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A.D. 1150 Gherardino.

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Cece Ottaviano Uguccione Tommaso Gherardo Maurizio

In 1150 the Gherardino had 6 sons, of whom 3 Maurice, Thomas and Gerard
(or Gerald) left Florence for France, where they entered the service of
King Louis le Jeune, and afterwards of his son Philip II.
This king , being asked by Henry II of England to find some
Italian officers (comandanti) to assist him in the prosecution of his
Irish wars, "not wishing to trust either Irish or French" ,
sent him the 3 Gherardini brothers ( or Geraldini),
who to show their parentage had adopted the Norman prefix of
Fitz, i.e. FitzGerald.
Maurice is mentioned as the knight who assisted Strongbow.

The above history is in conflict with the usual recorded genealogy
of the Fitzgeralds, who often trace their lineage to an Otho or Other
(? also deriving from Gherardini or Geraldini family of Florence),
an honory Baron of England in 1057 (Ref Dugdale) who was the father of

Walter Fitz-Other or Fitz-Otho,
Ist Constable of Windsor Castle, keeper of the Forests of Berkshire.
In the Doomsday Book (1086) he is lord of manors in
Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, Middlesex and Buckingham.
He married Beatrice , and died after 1100.

Does anyone know how the above mentioned Otho was related to the Gherardini
(or Geraldini) family ?

Does anyone have genealogical information on this ancient
family from Florence, Italy.

Does anyone have access to the ancient article by Gamurrini
"Istoria Genealogoca delle Famiglie Mobili Toscane ed Umbre." published Florence, 1671

Thanks

Roderick Mackenzie

(Please also send a reply direct to rmmacken@cadvision.com)