Albani family
The Albani were an aristocratic Roman family from the 16th to the 19th century. They were of Albanian origin and moved from northern Albania to Italy in the late 15th century. The Albani produced many high ranking figures of the Catholic Church, including Pope Clement XI. Their patrilineal heirs died out in 1852 and their estates were inherited via matrilineal descent by the Chigi, another aristocratic family of central Italy, hence known as the Chigi-Albani. Origin The original name of the Albani was Lazzi (Laçi) which they changed to Albani in memory of their origin. Francesco Albani (Clement XI) funded an expedition in Albania to locate the exact settlement of his family's origins. In the final report, the two most probable locations which were presented to him were Laç near Lezhë and Laç near Kukës, both in northern Albania. The Albani family originated from Albania by two brothers, George and Fillip. After serving in the Albanian–Venetian War in the 15th century, they sought refuge in Italy, where they settled in Urbino and adapted the new surname "Albani". After a short while, they rose to high status and were trusted in many inner circles within the church and the government. One