The office of procurator of Saint Mark originated in the ninth century with a single procurator , nominated to assist the doge in the administration of the Church of Saint Mark, the ducal chapel.Tiepolo, 'Venezia', p. 886 Over time the number of procurators increased. A second was created in 1231 and a third in 1259. After 1261, there were four procurators, two of which, the procurators , retained responsibility for the financial administration of the Church of Saint Mark, its upkeep, and its decoration as well as its treasury. The other two procurators, called , administered trust funds established as pious donations on behalf of religious and charitable institutions. In 1319, there were six procurators, and in 1443 there were nine. These were divided into three procuracies: (responsible for the Church of Saint Mark and its treasury), (responsible for trust funds established in the (districts) of San Marco, Castello, and Cannaregio), and (responsible for trust funds established in the of San Polo, Santa Croce, and Dorsoduro).
