Ruspoli family

The Ruspoli are an old and noble Italian family.

The origins of the family can be traced back to the Ruspoli of Florence in the 13th century and through the family's claimed direct descent from Marius Scotus in the 8th century and the Marescottis of Bologna. In the 17th century the Ruspolis moved to Rome where the last descendant, Vittoria Ruspoli, Marchioness of Cerveteri, married Sforza Vicino Marescotti Count of Vignanello, a descendant of the Farnese family on both his mother's and father's side. One of Vittoria's sons took the Ruspoli name and coat of arms to guarantee the continuity of the house.

In 1708, Vittoria's grandson, Francesco Ruspoli head of the Ruspoli Regiment fought to defend the Vatican State. In 1709 he forced the Austrians to a retreat and Pope Clement XI named Francesco first Prince of Cerveteri.

The papal title was conferred in 1721, and the Italian in 1905.

They held the post of Grand Master of the Sacred Apostolic Hospice, or Quartermaster-General of the Sacred Palaces, which was an hereditary official of the Pontifical Household. He was a Participating Privy Chamberlains and the sole lay member of the Noble Privy Antechamber, as well as a Participating Privy Chamberlains of the Sword and Cape (who were all laymen, traditionally holding hereditary posts). The post was abolished in the reforms of the Papal Curia after 1968.