Cybo

The Cybo, Cibo or Cibei family of Italy is an aristocratic family from Genoa of Greek origin.^[1][2] They came to the city in the 12th century. In 1528 the Cybo's formed the 17th "Albergo", a union of noble families of Genoa. ^[3][4] The family split in many branches, some living in Genoa, other in Naples. Most famous member is pope Innocent VIII, from whom descended the dukes of Massa. They married with the most famous Italian families: de Medici, della Rovere, d'Este and Pico della Mirandola.

The family became marquises (later dukes) of Massa. With the matrimony of Lorenzo with Ricciarda Malaspina in May 1520 started the branch of Cybo-Malaspina.

Notable members

Notable members from the 15th century to the 19th century include:

• Lanfranco, consul of Genoa 1241; one of the first known members
• Guglielmo "il Buono", palatine count of Holy Roman Empire 1260, admiral of the Genoan fleet
• Giulio Cybo, Italian noble executed 1548 for conspiring against Andrea Doria
• Innocenzo Cybo (1491 - 1550), Italian cardinal
• Lorenzo Cybo de Mari (died 1503), Italian cardinal
• Pope Innocent VIII (Giovanni Battista Cybo) (1432 – 1492)
• Alberico I Cybo-Malaspina (1554-1623)
• Carlo I Cybo-Malaspina (1623-1662)
• Alderamo, principe di Carrara (1690 – 1731), father of:
  • Maria Theresa Francesca Cybo-Malaspina, (1725 - 1790), princess of Carrara, wife of Ercole III Rinaldo d'Este, Duke of Modena (1727-1803), and mother of Maria Beatrice d'Este, (1750-1829) heiress of Modena and Massa-Carrara, who married Ferdinand of Austria (d. 1806). Massa was united with Modena upon Maria Beatrice's death in 1829.
  • Gherardo, colonel of the papal army, a famous naturalist (1512 – 1600)

References

1. ^ Smith, Philip (2009). The History of the Christian Church. General Books LLC. pp. 219–220. ISBN 1150722452, 9781150722455. "CHARACTER OF INNOCENT VIII… Cardinal John Baptist Cibo,' who was elected as Innocent VIII. (1484- 1492)…His family was of Greek origin, but had been long settled at Genoa and Naples by the name of Tomacelli that to which Boniface IX. belonged. The name of Cibo was taken from the chess-board pattern (itii/30s) in their arms. The father of Innocent had been Viceroy of Naples under King Rene, and Senator of Rome under Calixtus III." 
2. ^ Thomas, Joseph (2010). The Universal Dictionary of Biography and Mythology. Cosimo, Inc. p. 704. ISBN 1616400714, 9781616400712. "Cybo or Cibo, che-bo', (Arano or Aaron,) the ancestor of a noble Genoese family, was born of Greek origin at Rhodes" 
3. ^ “The Grimaldis of Monaco”, Anne Edwards, HarperCollins, 1992, [1], ISBN 0002151952
4. ^ “Genoa and the sea : policy and power in an early modern maritime republic, 1559-1684”, Thomas Allison Kirk, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005., pg. 25 [2], ISBN 0801880831