The Filangieri were an Italo-Norman noble family that first established as counts and lords in the province of Avellino (c.1100). The name Filangieri originates from the Latin Filli Angerii (sons of Angerio) named after Richard "Angerio" of Arnes, who adopted the nickname "Angerio" during his military service as captain of the Italian falangerio (phalanges) in the First Crusade.[1] They played a prominent role in the Kingdom of Sicily (prior to the War of the Sicilian Vespers) and the subsequent Kingdom of Naples.