Origins

The Bonito family origins are lost in the mists of time.

It was one of many Roman families that, in the fourth century depart to join the Emperor Constantine of Byzantium, a violent storm that sank the vessels .Warm reception in the beautiful city, situated in the hills of the Amalfi Coast, Ravello. In 963 Bonito family founded a church called St. Philip, in honor of St. Matthew the Apostle, where they were buried Senator COLUZIO (963) and the noble ORSO (998). The church bell was placed by Pope John XXIII, in the presence of Emperor Otto in San Giovanni in Laterano in Rome.

Some historians claim that the family is descended from a saint who lived in the seventh century, in Rome, Bishop Averno: San Bonito.

It is said that prior to birth was announced his holiness, that a new light of the Church born.

The family chapel in the Basilica of San Domenico in Naples , 1655, FABRIZIO Bonito and Julius Caesar Bonito, Prince of Casapesenna, erected a statue in honor of the saint.

The celebrities in this family: MARCELLO Cardinal, and Knight of Calatrava;

In 1275 Andrea Bonito, Nicola Confalone, Thomas Coppola, Alessandro d'Afflitto, Nicholas Arrow, Rufus Matthew, Nicola Acconciaioco, Palma and Pironti Angelo, lent to King Charles I of Anjou the enormous sum of one thousand ounces of gold, receiving as a pledge crown studded with precious stones. Andrew was appointed, again by King Charles I, Secretary of Calabria in 1269, Master of the Tresor, at Messina in 1272 and then in Brindisi.

CARLO Bonito, brave soldier, was appointed by King Robert II of Anjou in 1326, Captain-General of the Abruzzi.

Oddo, Martucci, was mayor in 1136 and prosecutor of the nobles in Naples.

Ludovico, cardinal and archbishop of Rimini (1408).

Iacopo was awarded the title of Baron Capurso, Terra d'Otranto in 1410.

LAURENCE Cupertino Torchiara, became Baron in 1564 and then Baron Prignano, Melito and Puglisi.

The house includes several Knights of Jerusalem: ALEXANDER (1571), Filippo (1648), Domenico (1670), this son of Judge Jules.

Julius Caesar was Lord of Casapesenna and Isola, in the Terra di Lavoro, was honored in 1640 by King Philip IV of Habsburg-Spain under the title of Prince of Casapesenna.

Giulio Cesare, Marquis of Bonito, Secretary of the Royal Treasury in 1668 and finally, chairman of the Royal House Sommaria; married Virginia Pignatelli and was awarded the title of Duke of Isola by King Philip IV.

John the Baptist in 1656 was awarded the title of Marquis of Positano.

MARCELLO, Knight of Calatrava, by inheritance Blanch House, inherited the title of Marquis of S. Giovanni.

Francisco Antonio, was a brave military Cavalry Corps, commanding the army against the French.

Don Andrea Bonito Duke d'Isola, was bishop of Capaccio having restored in the late seventeenth century, the church of Santissima Annunziata.

The descendants of this family today all over the world, in Italy, Portugal, Spain, Greece, France, England, USA and Brazil.

A few more have acquired the name through marriage.

The tradition keeps today with ordained clergy in the case of Portugal.

Cot of arms: Blue background, three lilies surmounted by the band, and three other lilies, all of gold.

More information: http://www.nobili-napoletani.it/Bonito.htm