The family was formerly called Tornaquinci and had arrived in Florence since the 10th century and in the 12th century it was part of the families that governed the city when it was decided to side against Frederick Barbarossa. In 1178 there were street battles between the anti-imperials ( Cavalcanti , Giandonati , Tornaquinci and a few others) and the pro-imperials ( Uberti ), which saw the defeat of the latter.
