The Gherardini Beginning:

"Quo tempore Maielpotus Telesinus et Guandelepert Bovianensis castaldei multa cum prece conduxerunt Lambertum ducem Spolitensium, et Garardum comitem, et obviantes eidem Saugdan, cum de Capuae depopulatione reverteretur, in Arvium tellure irruerunt super eum." (Latin)

"... By this time, Maielpotus Telesinus and Guandelepert Bovianensis (from the castles) went before Spolitensium, Duke of Lombardia, and Gherardi joined them, and they were also joined by Saugdan, to ask for the return of the rights that were taken from the Capuans, within the Arvium region, where upon they settled."

Historia Langabardorum Beneventarnorum

Gherardi is typically the zone that comprises Emilia and Tuscany, with a possible branch in the area of Bergamo. Gherardini is specific to the area between Modena, from Bologna, Florence, Pistoia and Pisa. Gherardo, more rarely, one would seem from Padova, but all would have to derive from the medieval name of origin Longobarda Gerhard Latinizzato in Garardus, tracing of this name has been found in 1100 near Caserta. *

Gherardi origins

TO MY LORD JAMES DE GHERARDINIS, EARL OF DESMOND

Most magnificent Lord and dearest Friend. If it is true that your progenitors were Florentines by birth, as is has been told us, and of the most noble and ancient family of the Gherardini, which, even now, is one of the most distinguished of [Florence], we have ample reason to rejoice and congratulate ourselves that our citizens have not only acquired possessions in Apulia, Greece, and Hungary, but also in Ireland, which is the most remote island in the world. O great glory of our city! O singular benevolence of God towards our people, from whom have sprung so many nobles and denominations, scattered over the face of the earth. Truly we are bound to give thanks to God for the many and great benefits conferred upon our city. We, therefore, most magnificent lord, though separated from you by great distance, are ever near you in charity and love; we offer you all that we can afford with willingness and promptitude. Just now there departs for your settlements a noble youth, John Bettius de Gherardinis, the bearer of these presents, whom his father sends to greet his kinsmen. We, therefore, certify by these our letters, that the aforesaid John, who is about to visit you, as well as his father, and descended by the father, grandfather, and great grandfather, from the family of the Gherardini. This youth, with all our heart, we recommend to you; and since the journey is long, and the distance great, we deem it expedient to give you the signs and tokens by which you may recognize John, the bearer of our letters, nor fall into any error, or indulge any suspicions. He is aged twenty-three years, above the middle stature, with a countenance of fair complexion and honest look. He has a wound, burned as it were, on the right region of the forehead, and on the back of the left hand he bears another wound received from fire. Farewell, most magnificent Lord, and expect all that you may desire from our citizens and your well-wishers.

Given at Florence, June 1st, 1440.

An account extracted from a Book of Memoirs of the Family of the Gherardini, of Florence, composed in manuscript by the Conon Nicholas Gherardini, A.D. 1585.

Now, being about to write these memoirs of our ancient family, which, as I have already mentioned, I have extracted from various writes, I will begin with those who have settled in the island of "Hibernia," or rather "Hirlanda," for the island may be called by either one of the other name. I have to mention, then, that I have read a memorandum written in the last page of a book of memoirs, signed "B.D. Antonio d'Ottaviano di Rossellini Gherardini," to the following effect:--

"I recollect that, in the month of October, in the year 1413, there passed through Florence an Irish bishop, a monk of the Order of St. Augustin, and with him an Irish priest, of the cathedral church of Ardfert, called 'Maurice,' who was of the family of the Gherardini settled in that island. This priest, seeking for some one who had been in this country, made the acquaintance of Nicholas di Lucca, who at one time had been a merchant in the city of London, to whom he mentioned that his ancestors were of the same blood as the Gherardini of Florence, and that, therefore, he was most desirous of knowing some member of that house. Lucca conducted him to me, and we introduced him to Octaviano di Cacciatino, and to Papi di Piero di Cacciatino de' Gherardini. This Maurice at once acknowledged us for his relations, and gave us the following account of their status in Ireland. A long time ago, Thomas Gherald, or 'Gherardo,' and Maurice Gherardini, having left Florence on account of the covil dissensions there, accompanied the King of England to the conquest of Ireland. Having served in this undertaking with fidelity and great valour, they were left as his governors in that island, and rewarded with the gift of many lordships. Of the possessions acquired by the Gherardini, their valour and feats of arms, he told us mention was made in a Chronicle caled 'La Rossa,' which is now in the city of Emerlie (Limerick); and that the three brothers afterwards multiplied into many lords and barons, who have a great many subjects. He also mentioned that, at this time, their chief representatives were of Gherardo, another Gherardo, Earl of Kildare; of Thomas, another Thomas, Earl of Desmond; and of Maurice, five barons. At foot of the same memorandum it is mentioned that the writer had received a similar account of the Earl of Kildare from Antony di Giovanni Manni, one of our Florentine merchants, who had been in Ireland."