Moncada

Moncada

Alias: nan

Blazon: quarterly, the first and fourth quarters sable with a lion or rampant crowned; the second and third fusily argent and azure (for Bavaria). Overall, an escutcheon parted per pale: the first gules with six golden loaves and two halves (for Moncada); the second gules with four pales or (for Aragon). The shield is adorned with a princely mantle and crown. Crest: a lion or, crowned passant, with its head reverted. Motto: ET SIMILI SEMPER.

 Origins: Bavaria, Catalonia

 Seat: Palermo

 Notable people: 

• Guglielmo Raimondo: The one who brought the family to Sicily, married Lucchina Alagona, becoming lord of Malta and Gozo. He later served as Gonfalonier of the Kingdom of Sicily under King Peter II.
• Matteo: Count of Agosta and Adernò, Grand Seneschal, Governor of Sicily, and Captain General in the Duchies of Athens and Neopatria.
• Guglielmo Raimondo: Count of Agosta, famous for abducting Queen Maria from Ursino Castle in Catania and taking her to Spain, where her marriage to Martino the Younger was arranged. He was granted Malta and Gozo with the title of Marquis, along with extensive lands, but later lost his honours and possessions after being declared a rebel by King Martin in 1397.
• Giovanni: Second-born of the preceding Guglielmo Raimondo, Baron of Ferla and Count of Adernò, he liberated Queen Bianca from the siege of Syracuse in 1410 and held high offices such as Grand Seneschal and Grand Chancellor.
• Matteo: Obtained the title of Count of Caltanissetta in 1407 and was Captain General of the Sicilian cavalry.
•  Another Guglielmo Raimondo: Count of Adernò, acquired the city of Paternò and held many high positions in the kingdom.
• Giovan Tommaso: Count of Adernò and Caltanissetta, held various judicial and administrative roles, including Viceroy of Sicily.
• Ugo: Knight of Malta and Bailiff of S. Eufemia, served as Viceroy in Sicily and Castellano of Tripoli.
•  Antonio: Count of Adernò, Captain General of the militias of the Kingdom of Sicily, and acquired the land of Motta Sant'Anastasia, confirming ancient family privileges.
• Francesco: First Prince of Paternò (1565), Vicar General in Syracuse, Catania, and other valleys, and deputy of the Kingdom.
• Cesare: Son of Francesco, Prince of Paternò, whose marriage to Aloisia Luna y Vega brought the Duchy of Bivona into the family.
•  Antonio Moncada y Aragon: First Duke of Montalto (1600) and Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
• Cesare: Obtained the title of Prince of Calvaruso in 1628.
• Giuseppe Moncada-Pollicino y Castagna: Obtained the title of Prince of Monforte in 1628 and Count of San Piero di Monforte
• Luigi Guglielmo Moncada Aragona y La Cerda: Prince of Paternò, Duke of Montalto, served as President of the Kingdom of Sicily, Viceroy of Sardinia and Valencia, Knight of the Golden Fleece, and Cardinal.
• Ferdinando Moncada y Gaetani: General of the Sicilian galleys, Viceroy of Sardinia and Navarre, whose marriage brought the Duchy of San Giovanni and the County of Cammarata into the Moncada family.
• Pietro Moncada y La Rocca: Prince of Montecateno, Royal Secret of Messina, and Vicar General.
• Tommaso Moncada y La Rocca: Archbishop of Messina and Patriarch of Jerusalem.
• Vincenzo: Prince of Alcontres, recognized with the Grandeeship of Spain, and a Brigadier in the royal armies.
• Emanuele Moncada y Oneto: Prince of Monforte, Lieutenant General of the Spanish armies, Knight of San Gennaro, and Grandee of Spain.
• Francesco Moncada y Branciforte: Prince of Larderia and Rosolini, served as Deputy of the Kingdom, Councilor of Commerce, and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Pontifical Court.
• Giovan Luigi: Prince of Paternò, Captain of Justice in Palermo, and reacquired the county of Adernò.
• Pietro: Count of Caltanissetta, Prince of Paternò, Senator of Palermo, and sat in the Chamber of Peers. His descendants, through his son Corrado and grandson Pietro, were recognised with numerous titles, including Prince of Paternò, Duke of S. Giovanni, and Count of Caltanissetta, among many others, reflecting the family's vast historical holdings.

 Titles: 

• Prince of Paterno, 
• Prince of Soria, 
• Prince Calvo, 
• Prince of Monforte, 
• Prince of Lardaria, 
• Prince Collereale, 
• Duke of S. Giovanni, 
• Marquis of Santa Marina, 
• Count of Caltanissetta, 
• Count of Caltanissetta, 
• Count of Aderno', Centuripe and Biancavilla, 
• Count of Cammarata, 
• Baron of Santa Maria della Stella, 
• Baron of Motta Santa Anastasia, 
• Baron of Melilli, 
• Baron of Grottarossa, 
• Baron of Troina Forests, 
• Baron della Mendola, 
• Baron of  the 164 onze, 
• Baron of Castania

 Bibliography: Mango 1912, s.v. 'Moncada'

The Moncada family, an ancient and celebrated noble lineage, originated from the Dukes of Bavaria and was ennobled in Catalonia, where they held numerous fiefs and titles. The family's name, Monteceno (vulgarised to Moncada), derives from their feat of chaining two mountains in Saegna, Catalonia, to fortify against Moorish attacks.

A key figure in bringing the family to Sicily was Guglielmo Raimondo, second-born son of the lord of Aitona in Catalonia, who arrived in 1282 under King Peter I of Aragon. He was instrumental in battles and conquests across Spain, Sicily, Naples, and Sardinia, distinguishing the family through their valour and influence. Guglielmo Raimondo himself became lord of Malta and Gozo, which he later ceded to King Frederick II in return for Agosta and Melilli.