The Branches of the Bonuccelli

Over the course of 7 centuries, the Bonuccellis have lived almost exclusively in the Camaiore region of Tuscany. Over succeeding generations, the number of Bonuccelli became so large in this area that it became easier to identify the family group in terms of specific "branches" of Bonuccelli: different distinct lines of Bonuccelli lineage. Names like Gongoni, Nibbi, Capitani, and Pieroni came to distinguish Bonuccelli of different branches. Nibbi, for example, means Kites (the birds); Pieroni, for example, means Big Pete (obviously descended from a large man named Piero); my family group is known as the Gongoni, although I'm not sure of the meaning of the name.

© Vincenzo Bonuccelli • All Rights Reserved

The Known Branches of Bonuccelli CACINI GONGONI NIBBI PIERONI ASCANI CAPITANI CASTAGNINI CASTIGLIONI CELESTINI CRUDI GATTO GRADINI MALATINI MASINI PATRINI PIERONCINI ROTONI SANTA ELENA SANTA MARIA SCRANNARI TORRE VINCENZONE VINCINI

Vincenzo Bonuccelli (born in Lombrici, very near Montecastrese and Camaiore) of the Pieroni branch of Bonuccelli has been a respected painter for decades. I've had the pleasure of communicating with his closest family in Edmonton, Canada over the past few years, and finally had the chance to meet him at Luca Santini's house last February. Luca recently forwarded to me this fantastic rendering, done by Vincenzo, depicting the various branches of the family tree Bonuccelli sprouting from the fortifications of the Castle of Montecastrese. The text (in Italian) on the sides gives a bit of historical information about Montecastrese and its noteworthy church. Click on the graphic above to enlarge Vincenzo's painting, and peruse the English translation of his text below:

The Bonuccelli In this tree are indicated the 4 largest and most widely known branches of Bonuccelli: Nibbi, Cacini, Gongoni, Pieroni; and the more minor branches that were grown over the course of time. As rendered artistically in this representation, the branches do not have a precise genealogical positioning. The Castle of Montecastrese Constructed around the 12th century, the castle was the property of the Lords of Carvaia, and after 1219 in joint ownership with the consorts of Vallecchia. It was conquered by the forces of the Commune of Lucca between 1223 and 1226. From the Castle of Montecastrese descends the lineage of the Bonuccelli, one of the 10 families that contributed a voice to the election of the rector of the altar of Santa Barbara, erected in the 14th century by a rich descendant of Montecastese, in the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Camaiore. The Church of Santa Barbara Recently the last remnants of this church have been discovered, located near the main gate to the Castle, on the northwest side that faces the small town of Lombrici. From the ancient historic sources, we know that during the battle that brought the castle to its destruction reinforcements from Pisa purloined from the Church of Santa Barbara a painting on wood depicting the Madonna with child, in the Byzantine style of the 12th century. This important icon was transferred to the Duomo in Pisa, where it was especially venerated and purported to work miracles, and still today much devotion centers around it. This icon is better known with the title of the “Madonna under the Organ.” (Historical dates thanks to Luca Santini and Anna Romanini) (Probable reconstruction of the Castle of Montecastrese with creative rendering) by painter Vincenzo Bonuccelli

Painter Vincenzo Bonuccelli Madonna Sotto gli Organi Vincenzo's Madonna, 5-06 The Duomo at Pisa

Again, thanks so much to Vincenzo Bonuccelli for creating this very cool piece of art!
(Vincenzo can be contacted in Italy at telephone # 0584 954413)