The Arcenese/ Larcinese/Tiberini Family of Gessopalena

The Arcenese, later known as Larcinese, family can be traced in Gessopalena for more than six centuries. Their surname reflects a monastic naming tradition rooted in the Latin word Arx — meaning fortress or stronghold — which appears in records as Arce, Arcene, Arcioni, and related forms. Notarial acts from the late 1500s onward show the family’s presence in vineyards, mills, and confraternities, with variants such as de Larcenese, di Larcinese, and Arciani recording both the fluid dialects of the region and the enduring Benedictine influence on local identity.

Recent archival research and advanced Y-DNA testing confirm that the Arcinese/Larcinese and the Tiberino share a common male ancestor in the 15th century. This progenitor divided land and responsibilities between his heirs, creating two parallel but interlinked branches. The Larcinese line continued in the role of agricultural stewards, managing mills, vineyards, and confraternal holdings. The Tiberino branch, meanwhile, rose in prominence in the 17th century as priests and physicians, consolidating their position within the Church and local society. Far from accidental, this division appears to reflect a deliberate strategy of kinship and governance, ensuring that the family’s influence extended across both lay and clerical domains.