Obertenghi

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian Obertenghi.

Proper noun

Obertenghi pl (plural only)

1. Collectively, the members of a mediaeval Frankish dynasty of Italian nobility comprising Oberto I and descendants; the dynasty itself.
   • 1995, David Abulafia, The New Cambridge Medieval History: Volume 5, C.1198-c.1300, Cambridge University Press, page 449:

     In 1187 the marquis of Massa, Guglielmo, burst on the scene in Sardinia; he was the head of one of the four branches of the Obertenghi clan and was supported by the commune of Pisa.

   • 2008, David J. Hay, The Military Leadership of Matilda of Canossa, 1046-1115, Manchester University Press, page 125:

     Crucially, the Welf family also held extensive lands in Emilia and Lombardy, through its links to the Italian clan of the Obertenghi, which had formerly produced many diehard imperialists.

   • 2011, Paola Rapelli, “Symbols of Power in Art”, in Jay Hyams, transl., [2004, Simboli di Potere e Grandi Dinastie], The J. Paul Getty Museum, page 323:

     The Genoese nobility began with Ido degli Obertenghi, who appears in the city annals in 952 as a viscount. From countship the territory became a march, and the Obertenghi became marquises.

Usage notes

• Generally treated as plural (in deference to the Italian).
• The singular form Obertengo is apparently not used (and is rare in Italian): i.e., it is not used as the family name.

Further reading

• Marca Obertenga on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Kingdom of Italy (Holy Roman Empire) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• House of Este on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Malaspina family on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• House of Pallavicini on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Italian

Noun

Obertenghi

1. plural of Obertengo
2. (historical) Collectively, the members of a mediaeval marcher dynasty comprising Oberto I and descendants.