Acciaioli family
| Company type | Banking institution |
|---|---|
| Industry | Banking |
| Founded | 13th century |
| Founder | Acciaioli family |
| Defunct | 1345 |
Area served | Greece, Western Europe |
The Acciaioli family, alternatively spelled as Acciaiuoli, Accioly, Aciole, Acciajuoli, or Acioli, was an influential noble lineage originating from Florence. Members of this family held the title of Dukes of Athens during their prominence.
History
Various spellings of the family name, such as Acciaioli, Acciainoli, Accioly, Aciole, and Acioli, are found particularly in Portugal and Brazil, where descendants remain today. The family's ancestry can be traced back to Gugliarello Acciaioli in the 12th century. According to family tradition, Gugliarello relocated from Brescia to Florence around 1160, escaping the invasion led by Barbarossa due to their loyalty to the Guelph faction.
During the 13th century, the Acciaioli founded a prominent banking institution known as the Compagna di Ser Leone degli Acciaioli e de' suoi consorti. This enterprise operated branches spanning from Greece to Western Europe until its failure in 1345.
In the mid-14th century, Bishop Angiolo Acciaioli briefly assumed control of Florence after the downfall of Gauthier de Brienne. The family later formed alliances with the Albizzi and elder Medici factions throughout the 15th century. From approximately 1390 to 1460, they governed the Duchy of Athens, maintaining strong connections with the younger Medici line through Laudomia Acciaioli’s marriage to Pierfrancesco de' Medici—ancestors of Tuscany’s Grand Dukes and other European royal families. In Florence, the Lungarno degli Acciaioli is a stretch along the Arno river situated between Ponte Vecchio and Ponte Santa Trinita.
Before 1512, Simone di Zanobi Acciaioli moved to Madeira representing the family's commercial ventures. The Portuguese and Brazilian branches bearing the Accioly name descend from him and were incorporated into the Portuguese nobility.
Notable members
- Angelo Acciaioli I (1298–1357), bishop
- Angelo Acciaioli II (1349–1408), cardinal
- Angelo Acciaioli di Cassano (died 1467), diplomat
- Antonio I Acciaioli (died 1435), Duke of Athens
- Antonio II Acciaioli (died 1445), Duke of Athens
- Donato Acciaioli (1428–1478), scholar
- Francesco I Acciaioli (floruit 1451–1453), Duke of Athens
- Francesco II Acciaioli (died 1460), last Duke of Athens
- Giovanni Acciaioli (floruit 1422), archbishop of Thebes
- Nerio I Acciaioli (died 1394), first Duke of Athens from the family
- Nerio II Acciaioli (1416–1451), Duke of Athens on two occasions
- Niccolò Acciaioli (1310–1365), military leader and statesman
- Zanobi Acciaioli (1461–1519), Dominican friar and intellectual