Paternò

Paternò

 Alias: nan

 Blazon: or, four pales gules, a bend azure overall 

 Origins: Embrun (France)

 Seat: Catania, Syracuse

 Notable people: 

• Roberto, lord of Buccheri; 
• Costantino (son of the previous), earl of Buccheri and of Partanna (1168); 
• Arrigo, praetor of Palermo (1377-78); 
• Giovanni, general vicar in Syracuse in 1393, gran camerario and regent of the Real Patrimonio,  master rational of the Kingdom in 1397; 
• Nicolò, secret and master prosecutor of Catania in 1398 and in 1409; 
• Gualtiero, law doctor, judge of the Gran Corte, king's counsel in 1409, ambassador to Pope Martin V; 
• Benedetto, senator of Catania in 1413-14, 1414-15, 1416-17, 1419-20-21, and 1426-27; 
• Andrea Paternò e Castello, senator of Catania in 1417-18, justice captain in 1425-26; 
• Antonio, justice captain of Catania in 1475-76; 
• Giovanni: Page to the King; Governor of the Old Castle of Noto in 1445.
• Pietro: Baron of Aragona; Patrician (City Councillor) of Catania from 1454; Captain of the Port and City of Messina from 1449–1450 and 1467–1469.
• Gurretta: Chief Magistrate of Caltagirone, 1448–49.
• Marco: Senator of Palermo, 1472–73.
• Giovanni: Chief Magistrate of Catania, 1495–96.
• Giovanni: Chief Magistrate of the same city, 1550–51; Patrician in the years 1551–52, 1562–63, and 1569–70.
• Francesco: Chief Magistrate in 1498–99 and 1506–07; Patrician in 1500–1501.
• Alvaro: Patrician in 1499–1500, 1505–06, and 1512–13.
• Sigismondo: Patrician of Catania in 1508–09, 1514–15, and 1518–19.
• Giovanni: Bishop of Malta and Archbishop of Palermo in 1489; President of the Kingdom (Viceroy's Deputy) in 1494, 1506, and 1509.
• Luigi: Patrician of Catania in 1504–05, 1513–14, and 1520–21.
• Giovan Tommaso: High Court Judge in 1510.
• Giovan Francesco: Baron of Raddusa; Chief Magistrate of Catania, 1516–17.
• Artale: Chief Magistrate of Caltagirone, 1537–38.
• Baldassare: Chief Magistrate of Catania, 1547–48.
• Giovanni: Son of the late Girolamo; Patrician of Catania, 1554–55.
• Girolamo Paternò: Baron of Ramione; Jurist (City Magistrate) in 1718–19 and 1723–24; Chief Magistrate in 1721–22; Senator in 1725–26.
• Giuseppe Maria Paternò Asmundo: Admitted to the Register of the Nobility of Catania on July 8, 1716. He held several high judicial posts, including Judge of the High Criminal Court (1730, 1736) and the Civil Court (1732). He served as Crown Prosecutor for the Royal Treasury (1743) and the High Court (1748). He rose to President of the Consistory (1751), the Treasury (1761), and the High Court (1770). In July 1756, he was granted the title of Marquess, which was later attached to the estate of Sessa.
• Vincenzo Paternò e Castello: Duke of Carcaci; Ambassador from the Senate of Catania to King Victor Amadeus of Savoy; Vicar General of the Kingdom in 1743.
• Francesco Paternò e Colonna: Patrician of Catania, 1724–25.
• Vincenzo Paternò e Trigona: Baron of Raddusa; Chief Magistrate of Catania, 1725–26.
• Giuseppe Paternò e Riccioli: Held the same office (Chief Magistrate), 1726–27.
• Benedetto Paternò Asmundo: Patrician of Catania, 1729–30.
• Francesco Paternò e Amico: Chief Magistrate in 1730–31; Patrician in 1736–37.
• Orazio Paternò e Castello: Marquess of San Giuliano; Chief Magistrate of Catania, 1732–33; Patrician in 1738–39.
• Vincenzo Paternò Asmundo: Chief Magistrate of Catania, 1734–35.
• Francesco Maria: Judge of the High Civil Court, 1735–36 and 1747–48.
• Mario Concetto Paternò Castello: Duke of Carcaci; Chief Magistrate of Catania, 1737–38; Patrician in 1741–42.
• Luigi: Judge of the High Criminal Court (1739–40) and the High Civil Court (1753–54).
• Mario Paternò e Castello: Baron of S. Alessi; Chief Magistrate of Catania, 1740–41.
• Antonio Alvaro Paternò: Baron of Manganelli; Patrician of Catania, 1742–43.
• Diego Paternò e Castelli: Baron of S. Alessi; Market Governor (Acatapano) of Catania, 1743–44.
• Giacomo Paternò e Scammacca: Chief Magistrate in 1749–50; Patrician in 1752–53.
• Ignazio Paternò e Castello: Prince of Biscari; Archaeologist and scholar; founder of the Etnean Academy in Catania.
• Michele Paternò e Castello: Baron of Bicocca; Chief Magistrate of Catania, 1755–56; Patrician in 1758–59.
• Francesco Maria Paternò: Baron of Raddusa; Judge of the High Criminal Court, 1758–60.
• Giovan Battista: Knight of Malta; High Court Judge (1760); Crown Prosecutor (1766); Auditor General of the Royal Treasury (1775); President of the Consistory (1779) and the High Court (1787); Member of Parliament (Deputy of the Kingdom) 1786–1790.
• Antonio: High Court Judge, 1764.
• Antonino: Marquess of San Giuliano; Chief Magistrate of Catania (1763); Patrician (1768).
• Vincenzo Paternò Castello e Rizzari: Mayor of Catania in 1765; Chief Magistrate in 1770.
• Giuseppe Maria Paternò e Tedeschi: Duke of Furnari; Chief Magistrate of Catania, 1766 and 1784.
• Consalvo: Second Marquess of Sessa; Governor of the Monte di Pietà (Palermo); Senator of Palermo (1783); Knight of Malta (1771).
• Gioacchino: Baron of Sigona; Senator of Catania (1775–76); officially recognised as a Royal Knight in 1775.
• Santo: Knight of Malta; Judge of the High Civil Court (1788); Rector of the "Opera di Navarro" charity in Palermo (1784).
• Giovan Battista Paternò e Asmundo: Minister Resident in Naples; President of the Consistory in 1780.
• Vincenzo Paternò Tedeschi: Duke of Furnari; Patrician of Catania (1787–91); Senator (1790–97).
• Antonio: Prince of Manganelli; Duke of the Palace; Senator of Palermo, 1788–89.
• Francesco Paternò Castello e Tedeschi: Deputy Governor (Proconservatore) of Catania between 1788 and 1809.
• Baron Michele: Senator of Catania, 1798–99.
• Vincenzo Paternò Castello e Morso: Prince of Biscari; Lord-in-Waiting (Gentleman of the Chamber) in 1797.
• Giovanni Francesco Paternò e Morso: Royal Custodian of Antiquities for Eastern Sicily; Knight of the Constantinian Order.
• Mario Paternò e Castello: Baron of S. Alessi; Senator of Catania, 1812–13.
• Antonino Paternò Castello: Marquess of San Giuliano and Capizzi; Member of Parliament; Italian Ambassador to the Court of St. James (London); Senator of the Kingdom and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• Emanuele Paternò (Asmundo Paternò): Of the Marquesses of Sessa; former Mayor of Palermo; Professor of Chemistry at the Royal University of Rome; President of the Provincial Council of Palermo; Senator and Vice-President of the Senate; Knight of the Civil Order of Savoy. In 1911, he was personally granted the title of Marquess by Royal Decree, inheritable by his male descendants.

 Titles: 

• Prince of Biscari
• Prince of Sperlinga
• Principe di Manganelli
• Duke of Carcaci
• Duke of Furnari
• Duke of Palazzo
• Duke of Paterno'
• Duke of Rocca Romana
• Marquis of San Giuliano
• Marquis of Capizzi
• Marquess of Manchi
• Marquess of Sessa Toscano
• Earl of Buccheri
• Earl of Partanna
• Baron of S. Alessi
• Baron of Aragona
• Baron of Bicocca
• Baron of Donnafugata
• Baron of Cuba and Sparacogna
• Baron of Alzacuda 
• Baron of the Baglio and customs of Milazzo 
• Baron of Baldi 
• Baron of Belmonte
• Baron of Bidani
• Baron of Burgio
• Baron of Castania
• Baron of Cuchara
• Baron of Cugno
• Baron of Gallitano
• Baron of Gatta
• Baron of Graneri
• Baron of Imbaccari and Mirabella
• Baron of  Marianopoli
• Baron of Motta Camastra
• Baron of Murgo, 
• Baron of  Oxino, 
• Baron of Placabaiana, 
• Baron of Poiura, 
• Baron of Porta di Randazzo, 
• Baron of Pollicarini, 
• Baron of Raddusa e Destri, 
• Baron of Ramione, 
• Baron of Salsetta,  
• Baron of Scala, 
• Baron of Sciortavilla, 
• Baron of Solazzi, 
• Baron of Spedalotto, 
• Baron of one third of the customs of Catania, 
• Baron of Toscano e Mandrile
• Officio di Mastro Notaro della Corte Capitaniale di Catania, 

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

The Paternò family is believed to descend from ancient lords of Embrun, brought to Sicily by a Roberto during the time of Count Roger. Over the centuries, the family amassed significant feudal holdings, including the principalities of Biscari and Sperlinga; the duchies of Carcaci, Furnari, Palazzo, Paternò, and Rocca Romana; the marquisates of Capizzi, S. Giuliano, Manchi, and Sessa Toscano; and numerous baronies such as S. Alessi, Aragona, Bicocca, and Donnafugata, among many others.

Throughout history, many individuals from various branches of the Paternò family distinguished themselves. Notable figures include Roberto, Lord of Buccheri; Costantino, Count of Buccheri and Partanna in 1168; Arrigo, Praetor of Palermo in 1377-78; Giovanni, Vicar General in Syracuse in 1393 and later a Grand Chamberlain; and Gualtiero, a doctor of laws and royal counsellor in 1409. The family also produced numerous senators, captains of justice, judges of the Gran Corte, and bishops, including Giovanni, Bishop of Malta and Archbishop of Palermo in 1489.

Later prominent members include Giuseppe Maria Paternò Asmundo, who held various judicial and presidential roles in the 18th century and obtained the title of Marquis of Sessa, and Vincenzo Paternò e Castello, Duke of Carcaci and ambassador to Vittorio Amedeo of Savoy. The family also saw figures like Ignazio Paternò e Castello, Prince of Biscari, an archaeologist and man of letters who founded the Accademia dei Pastori Etnei in Catania.

In more recent times, the family has been represented by Antonino Paternò Castello, Marquis of San Giuliano and Capizzi, who served as a member of parliament, ambassador to England, Senator of the Kingdom, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Another illustrious member was Emanuele Paternò (Asmundo Paternò), Marquis of Sessa, a renowned chemist, professor at the Royal University of Rome, and Vice-President of the Senate. He was granted the title of Marquis in 1911, transmissible to his male descendants.