de Piro

 

Title: Marquis 
Title in succession:
8th
Date created: 
1742 (Com. of Privileges 1983)
Granted by:  
Philip the V of Spain
Granted To: Gio Pio De Piro (San Vincente e Castilla)
Rep: de Piro
(dormant) Capitano della Verga
Remainder to:
heirs and successors in perpetuity
Present Holder: Nicholas De Piro 
Abeyance: Passed into abeyance 1962 and brought out 1983 by the Com. of Privileges
Other related titles: Budaq
Other realated sites: further information provided by the Marquis N. De Piro and Baron of Budach



The current Holder (artist: Phillipa Bianchi)


Marquis Baron Vincenzo de Piro 1799 in dress
uniform of the Royal Sicilian regiment. he helped raise
rebellion against the French and elected as one of the 
representatives of the people.

1st Marquis De Piro ; Dr.Giovanni DePiro LL.D and 1st Baron of Budaq; created by the Philip the V of Spain on 6 November 1742, a special levy to be paid to the crown of Spain on the succession of the new Titleholder; by his grandson.

An interesting note regarding Dr Giovanni de Piro's ancestor whom first arrived in Malta in 1530, Cosimo de Pyrrho. According to Prince Mihail Dimitri Sturdza, the author of 'Grandes Familles de Grece, d'Albanie, et de Constantinople' that this Cosimo de Pyrrho was a personal slave of the Grand Master Villiers de I'Isle-Adam, whom was granted freedom and favours from the Grand Master. This led to the 'Rise and Rise of the "de Piro" family. 
Also note, that Cosimo was stated to be of Albanian descent.

Giovanni de Piro, married Anna Gourgion, who came from an equally family of merchants. De Piro who succeeded Gourgion as the Procurator of Wheat, arrived at Licata on the 22 July 1703 escorted by two galleys of the Order. Although he was received with courtesy, de Piro immediately found himself in a very embarrasing situation. His sacks of scudi which he had taken to buy wheat were weighed and found below the required standards. The problem was neatly solved when de Piro distributed the scudi into smaller sacks, which were then found to be within the prescribed weight. The Sicilian fiscal officer had no option but to accept this compromise.

From the voluminous correspondence in the possession of the Present Baron de Piro, it is evident that his ancestor, Gio Pio, had kept Grand Master Perellos, the Seneschal, several Jurats, the Bailiff of Palermo and various persons at Messina continuously informed about matters relating to his office. Undoubtedly, he needed a first hand knowledge of wheat purchasing, since prices varied considerably according to the type of grain, the time of harvest and the place to purchase.

De Piro was re-appointed Procurator of Wheat in 1704 and was again conformed in 1705. That year the harvests were particular poor due to locusts and heavy rains. When riots broke out in Licata, de Piro sent his family to live in the Castle of Girgenti, but himself went to Palermo where he made most of his purchases. On the 1 April 1705, Perollos wrote two separate letters to Gio Pio de Piro and to his father the Archdeacon Ubaldesco, to express his concern over the Licata riots. Eventually , the riots were brought under control and de Piro continued to serve undisturbed until he retired.

2nd Marquis DePiro, Vincenzo,

The only two sons of Marquis Vincenzo de Piro to marry, disregarded the wish of their parents and married partners of their own choosing. The eldest Antonio, married Teresa de Re, a person of his own 'nationality but not of equal rank', from whom-it was rumoured had an illegitmate child. His enraged father not only disinherited him, but also his innocent descendants. Five years later, in 1795 Antonio left with his family to live in Rome. The second son, Giuseppe, was nominated , within the space of three years, the future heir to the lucrative Gourgion and the de Piro entails. Rather surprisingly he was not disinherited in spite of the fact that he married Generosa Borg, below his rank.

3 rd Marquis DePiro, Antonio, died 1806 when the Title Marquis De Piro went into abeyance


4th Marquis DePiro, Francesco Saverio, restored by the Spanish Crown 9 January 1878, in favour of the 3rd Marquis’s nephew.

5th Giuseppe Lorenzo, Marquis DePiro recognised by the Spanish crown March 1895, Knight S.M.O.M.

6th Marchioness De Piro, Adelina, Title again went into abeyance. It was called out of abeyance by the Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility, 1983, in favour of her kinsman Jerome Carmel de Piro d’Amico-Inguanez, 7th Marquis De Piro and 8th Baron of Budaq. In favour for his son;

Nicholas John Thomas Anthony De Piro D’Amico Inguanez, Marquis De Piro and Baroncino di Budaq



The Marquisate was created in 1742 by King Philip V of Spain to Dr Gio Pio de Piro J.U.D., 1st Baron di Budaq. Dr Gio Pio de Piro was also sometime Capitano della Verga, Secreto Regio in Sicily, Secreto to the Grand Master Zandadari.


The Baron de Budaq was First created Vizconde de Chartely which was immediately suppressed and cancelled as he was elevated to the title of Marquis . The title of Marquis de Piro was registered at the Chancellory of the Knights of St John in Malta and was granted full recognition by the Grand Master. British Recognition in 1878.



The title was granted in exchanged for the payment of 572,000 Maravedis de Vellon ( Local Currency ) by Gio Pio de Piro to the Spanish Crown, a special levy was payable to the Spanish crown each time a new holder inherited the title.



Due to the turbulence which surrounded the Napoleonic War, the French invasion of Malta , and the onset of British rule the de Piro family omitted to make these payments.



As a result of which, the title went into de jure abeyance upon the death of the 3rd Marquis in 1806 and was formally suppressed by the Spanish crown by Royal edict of 9th of September 1826.

The title was restored by the Spanish crown on the 9th of January 1878, in favour of Colonel Francesco Saverio de Piro C.M.G. . In the years between 1806 and 1878, the title was used de facto, but not de jure by Guiseppe de Piro-Gourgion and by Adriano de Piro-Gourgion.


Upon the death of the 4th Marquis’s grand daughter, Adelina MacPherson in 1962, the title went to abeyance.



It was called out of abeyance by the committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility on the 29th of September ,1983 in favour of the 8th Baron of Budaq, who immediately upon succession renounced in favour of his only son, the Present Marquis. The title called out was in fact the title of “de Piro”, not the Spanish title, Marquis de Piro.

As seen above, the title of Marquis de Piro, does NOT have the facility for the title-holder to nominate his / her successor.

It is a Spanish title, which follows certain well-established rules of succession.

‘Notes on the succession to the title of Marquis de Piro’ which also appears on various articles and site's have dealt at some length with the unusual way in which Nicholas de Piro came to be recognised as Marquis de Piro, by the Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility on 29th. September 1983.

There is consequently no need to repeat these facts here.

However,a simply note, for the record that;

a. the title of Marquis de Piro was (is) not disposable by nomination and that

b. even if it were disposable by nomination, it most certainly could not be disposed of by an act of nomination, inter vivos, lacking the Sovereign’s assent.

Thus, the question regarding the ‘succession’ of Nicholas de Piro to this title on 29th. September 1983.

There are, of course, other factors regarding his ‘succession’ to this title; I have already dealt with these in the above-mentioned article.

The most important consequence of Nicholas de Piro’s ‘succession’ to the title of Marquis de Piro was that it gave him the right to vote at elections of the Committee of Privileges together with the right to be elected to that Committee.

At the time of his ‘succession’ he was living abroad. However, he eventually returned to live in Malta when he served on the Committee for a number of years as ‘Marquis de Piro’. In this capacity, he sat in judgement on matters concerning the nobility, not the least of which was the succession to other Maltese titles.

Nicholas de Piro became a de jure title-holder following the death of his father Jerome de Piro d’Amico Inguanez, 8th. Baron of Budaq on 15th. April 1996.

He became the 9th. Baron of Budaq.

But note that succession, even between father and son does not happen instantaneously; the Committee does not entertain any claims for a certain period of time and then a special procedure has to be followed.

The whole process normally takes about one year.

I presume, therefore that he succeeded as 9th. Baron of Budaq in 1997 Consequently, from 1983 to 1997, he served for a number of years on the Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility when, according to the terms of the 1878 Royal Commission, his right to do so is questionable.

Because his ‘succession’ was brought about by an act of nomination inter vivos, not ratified by the Sovereign but only by a private Committee (see footnote below).

This form of succession to titles of nobility had been specifically declared ultra vires by the 1878 Royal Commission report.

The Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility has always maintained that it sticks to the letter of the Royal Commission report and that this ‘rigorous’ adherence to the letter of the law, therefore, confers an air of legality to its deliberations.


It should also be remembered that even whilst not serving on the Committee, as ‘Marquis’ de Piro, Nicholas de Piro voted in the annual elections to the Committee and therefore had a say in who was elected to serve on that Committee.

Individuals such as titleholders, whose election to the Committee of Privileges never depended on the votes of those who, according to the terms of the 1878 Royal Commission report, should not have taken part in these elections at all (least those concerning succession to titles).


Another spin-off from this unfortunate turn of events is that the (mis) use of the act of nomination inter vivos came to be regarded as a perfectly legitimate manoeuvre by the Committee.

This despite its use in the succession to titles, having being declared as being totally invalid according to the 1878 Royal Commission report.




De Piro Crest




A genealogical account of the Marquis's de Piro

Vincenzo de Piro, 2nd Baron di Budaq, 2nd Marquis di Castilla (de Piro), 
died 1799., married 1757 to Maria Teresa dei Baroni Testaferrata Abela

1. Antonio de Piro, 3rd Baron di Budaq, 3rd Marquis di Castilla 
(1758-1806), married 1790 to Teresa della Re.
1.1. Vincenzo de Piro (1785-1840), married 1810 to Loreta Mallia
1.1.1. Guiseppe de Piro, married 1845 to Maria Antonia Mizzi
1.1.1.1. Antonio de Piro, married firstly to Louisa Borg, with issue, 
Married secondy to Florence Cowley, with further issue.
1.1.1.2. Fortunato de Piro, married 1893 to Ersilea Leone Ganado
1.1.1.2.1. Joseph de Piro, married 1930 to Antonia Caruana Dingli dei 
Marchesi del Fiddien, and dsp.
1.1.1.2.2. Jane de Piro, married 1928 to Joseph Buttigieg
1.1.1.2.2.1. Anthony Buttigieg de Piro, Marquis Buttigieg de Piro, "Marquis 
di Castillo" (1932- , married 1959 to Alice Pace.
1.1.1.2.2.2. Capt Joseph dei Marchese Buttigieg de Piro (1934- , married 
1969 to Corinne Eminyan
1.1.1.2.2.2.1. David dei Marchese Buttigieg de Piro (1974-
1.1.1.2.2.2.2. Victoria dei Marchese Buttigieg de Piro (1971-
1.1.1.2.2.3. Cecil dei Marchese Buttigieg de Piro (1936-
1.1.1.2.3. Victoria de Piro, married Paul Fenech Gasan, with issue
1.1.1.3. Loreto de Piro, married Annette Mizzi, with issue.
1.1.2. Antonia de Piro, married to Gio Batta Mamo Mompalao, with issue
1.2. Sir Giuseppe Maria de Piro C.M.G., (1794-1870), 4th Baron di Budaq, 
married Antonia Moscati Gatto, 3rd Baroness di Benwarrad, and dsp.
1.3. Francesca de Piro (died 1877), 5th Baroness di Budaq
2. Giuseppe de Piro Gourgion, C.M.G (died 1852), married 1810 to Gaetana 
Borg Madiona
2.1. Adriano de Piro Gourgion (1817-66) Styled Marquis de Piro, dunm.
2.2. Dr Carmelo dei Marchese de Piro-Gourgion, married 1844 to Gerolama 
dei Baroni Sceberras d'Amico-Inguanez
2.2.1. Guiseppe de Piro-Gourgion (c 1845-1916), 6th Barone di Budaq, dunm.
2.2.2. Alessandro de Piro-Gourgion (c 1849-98), married 1868 to Ursola 
Aguis-Caruana
2.2.2.1. Dr Carmelo de Piro, MD. (c 1871-1912), married 1908 to Dolores 
Dyer-Lister
2.2.2.1.1. Maria Pilar de Piro (c 1911-44), married Alexander Apap-Bologna 
dei Marchese di Gnien is Sultan, with issue
2.2.2.2. Maria Teresa de Piro (c 1869-1920), married 1899 to Paolo Apap 
Bologna, 5th Marchese di Gnien is Sultan
2.2.2.3. Rev Santo de Piro (c 1873-1929) dunm.
2.2.2.4. Igino de Piro d'Amico Inguanez (c 1874-1942), 7th Baron di Budaq, 
married Nicolina Apap Bologna
2.2.2.4.1. Jerome de Piro d'Amcio Inguanez (c 1914-9?), 8th Baron di Budaq, 
7th Marquis de Piro , married 1938 to Philomena Cassar-Torreggiani
2.2.2.4.1.1. Nicholas de Piro d'Amico Inguanez (c 1941- , 9th Baron di 
Budaq, 8th Marquia de Piro , married 1970 to Frances Wilson
2.2.2.4.1.1.1. Cosimo de Piro d'Amico Inguanez (c 1971-, Marchesino de Piro 
e Baroncino di Budaq, married with issue. 
2.2.2.4.1.1.2. Clement de Piro d'Amcio Inguanez (c 1972- dei Marchesino de Piro d'Amico Inguanez
2.2.2.4.1.1.3. Anton de Piro (c 1985-
2.2.2.4.1.1.4. Mary Louise de Piro (c 1974-
2.2.2.4.1.2. Rosemarry de Piro (c 1943-., married 1974 to Dr John O'Connell
2.2.2.4.1.2.1. Thomas O'Connell (c 1975-
2.2.2.4.1.2.2. James O'Connell (c 1976-
2.2.2.4.1.2.3. Victoria O'Conell (c1978-
2.2.2.4.1.3. Mary Therese de Piro (c 1946-, married 1974 Simon Bailey
2.2.2.4.1.3.1. Sebastian Bailey (c 1977-
2.2.2.4.1.3.2. Paul Bailey (c 1977-
2.2.2.4.1.4. Mary Elizabeth de Piro (c 1950-, married 1977 to Ralph Bianchi
2.2.2.4.1.4.1. Mark Bianchi (c 1980-
2.2.2.4.1.4.2. Guilia Bianchi (c 1978-
2.2.2.4.1.4.3. Philippa Bianchi (c 1982-
2.2.2.4.1.5. Mary Margaret de Piro (c 1951-, married Paul Bianchi
2.2.2.4.1.5.1. Alexandra Bianchi (c 1982-
2.2.2.4.1.5.2. Catherine Bianchi (c 1979-
2.2.2.4.2. Marie de Piro (c 1902-., married Niclino Trapani Galea Feriol, 
9th Baron di San Marciano
2.2.2.4.3. Cecilia de Piro (c 1904-, married firstly 1924 to Count Nazzareno 
Zimmermann Barbaro, 5th Count von Zimmermann, married secondly to Professor 
John Pick.
2.2.2.4.4. Monica de Piro (c 1909- ), married Col.John Toole Nelson.
2.2.2.5. Alberto de Piro (c 1877-99) dunm
2.2.2.6. Mgr Alberto de Piro (c 1877-1933) dunm.
2.2.2.7. Maria de Piro (c 1872-1907), married Dr Alfredo Stilon MD
2.2.2.8. Dr Guido de Piro (c 1879-., married Betta Capone....
2.2.2.9. Gio Pio de Piro (c 1881-..., married Emma Gauci-Tramblett
2.2.2.9.1. Dr Alessandro de Piro Gourgion LLD (C 1917-
2.3. Francesco Saverio de Piro, C.M.G (1824-94), 4th Marquis di Castillo, 
married 1856 to Adelaide dei Marchese Cassar Desain
2.3.1. Guiseppe Lorenzo de Piro, C.M.G, (1858-1911), 5th Marquis di 
Castillo, married 1891 to Georgina Galea-Naudi
2.3.1.1. Adelina de Piro (1892-1962), 6th Marchioness di Castillo, married 
to Kenneth MacPherson, dsp.




(IF THERE ARE ANY UPDATES TO ANY TREES, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO 
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References: 1) Gauci,C.A.," The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble 
Families of Malta", Gulf Publishing Ltd, Malta, 1981.
2) Gauci,C.A.," The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble Families of Malta, 
Volume Two", Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd, 1992.
3) Gauci,C.A and Mallet, P.,"The Palaeologos Family- A Genealogical Review" 
,Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd, 1985
4) Gauci, C.A.," A Guide to the Maltese Nobility", Publishers Enterprise 
Group (PEG) Ltd, Malta, 1986.
5) Montalto, J., "The Nobles of Malta-1530-1800", Midsea Books Ltd, Malta, 
1980.
6) De Piro, N., "Casa Rocco Piccola", The Conde' Nast Publications 1999.' 
Http://www.vol.net.mt/casarocca '
7) Giles Ash, S., "The Nobility of Malta", Publishers Enterprises Group 
(PEG) Ltd, 1988.
8) Said Vassallo, C.M., Unpublished research papers.
9) Said Vassallo, C.M., Maltagenealogy.com Research site a member of the 
'Triple Alliance Site- Maltese Nobiliy'.
10). Sturdza, Prince Mihail Dimitri ., Archives and collection of data 
researched for ''Grandes Familles de Grece, d'Albanie, et de 
Constantinople'.


 

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