The Magnificent, Ancient, and Noble House of Carotenuto of Boscotrecase is an Italian noble lineage originating from the ancient *Casali di Bosco* (present-day Boscotrecase) in the Campania region, in the vicinity of Mount Vesuvius. Documented since the 15th century, the family distinguished itself within the rural aristocracy as major landowners (*massari*) and producers of the legendary *Lacrima* wine (now known as *Lacrima Christi*); furthermore, the family produced various members who served in the secular clergy and the judiciary (*Dottori utriusque juris*).​

In the late 19th century, a branch of the family settled in Brazil, where they continue to preserve the House's historical and genealogical heritage to this day.

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History and Formation of the Estate

The earliest ancestor documented to date is Domenico Carotenuto (early 17th century). His son, Nicola Carotenuto (c. 1625/1635–1703), consolidated the family's real estate and land holdings in Boscotrecase. Nicola married Marzia Sorrentino (d. before 1703) and acquired a vast amount of land in the area known as *L'Ardicheta* (or *Lo Maletengulo*).

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On August 11, 1672, before Notary Giuseppe Montefusco of Naples, Nicola acquired six *moggia* of land—holdings historically granted by Queen Joanna to the royal monasteries of Santa Chiara, Santa Maria Maddalena, and Santa Maria Egiziaca in Naples. He subsequently expanded his holdings to include a large *masseria* (farm estate) of over 60 *moggia* (approximately 20 hectares) on the slopes of Mount Somma/Vesuvius.

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The estate featured vineyards that annually produced around 40 casks (*botte*) of *Lacrima* wine—sold at 12 ducats each, generating a solid annual income of hundreds of ducats—as well as groves of chestnut and oak trees.

 

18th Century: Doctors and Clergymen

With the marriage of Antonio Simone Carotenuto (1653–c. 1702) to Lucida Brancaccio (1660–1753) in 1687, the family strengthened ties with other important lineages in the region. Seven sons were born of this union; they inherited the estate of their grandfather, Nicola, via a nuncupative will dated July 22, 1703 (drawn up by Notary Giacomo Carotenuto).

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Financial stability enabled the academic and clerical education of several members:

• Don Francesco Carotenuto (b. 1688): Doctor of Both Laws (*Dottor u.j.*), ordained a priest in 1711. He served at the Parish of Santa Maria delle Vergini in Naples.

• Dr. Michele Carotenuto: Doctor of Law.

• Don Giovanni Principio Carotenuto (b. 1701): Ordained a priest in 1722, he served at the Parish of Santa Maria a Piazza in Naples.

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Carotenuto Branches (Soprannomi)

​Notarial records from the 17th and 18th centuries indicate that the Carotenuto family had sub-branches identified by family nicknames (*soprannomi*)—a common practice among the Neapolitan nobility and rural gentry to distinguish between different lines of descent:

• Porcella branch

• Baccone branch (e.g., Giuseppe Carotenuto, son of Angelo)

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Main Lineage (17th Century – Present)

1. Don Domenico Carotenuto (c. 1600)

2. Don Nicola Carotenuto (c. 1625/1635 – 1703), landowner in Bosco. Married to Marzia Sorrentino.

3. Don Antonio Simone Carotenuto (1653 – c. 1702). Married to (1687) Donna Lucida Brancaccio (1660–1753).

4. Don Matteo Carotenuto (1692–1757). C.c. (2nd time) Donna Laura d'Amaro (c. 1700).

5. Don Luca Carotenuto (1730–1791). C.c. (1778) Donna Mariangela d'Acunzo (1753–1801).

6. Don Giovanni Simone Carotenuto (1786–1855). C.c. (1819) Donna Santa Maria Arpaia (1792–1857).

7. Don Giacomino Carotenuto (1824–1896). C.c. (1849) Donna Maria Colomba Ciliberto (1827–1900).

8. Don Luigi Carotenuto (1864–1929). C.c. (1896) Donna Elvira Sorrentino (1879–1958).

9. Don João Carotenuto (1900–1977). C.c. (1921) Dona Josephina Nero (Nigro family of San Nicola la Strada) (1901–1998).

10. Don Rafael Luiz Cardenuto (1933–2010). C.c. (1954) Dona Laura Maria dos Santos (1934–2003).

11. Don Ricardo Luiz Cardenuto (1962–2022). C.c. (1982) Dona Rosilda Maria de Souza (b. 1964).

12. Don Renan Souza Cardenuto (b. 1988), Fidalgo. C.c. (2024) Dona Larissa Maccarini Virtuoso (b. 1988).

13. Donna Maria Antônia Carotenuto (b. 2025)

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Archives and Documentary Sources

The genealogical and historical reconstruction of the House of Carotenuto relies on archived ecclesiastical proceedings and notarial acts from Naples and Boscotrecase:

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|11/08/1672

|Purchase Deed

|Notary Giuseppe Montefusco

|Acquisition of 6 *moggia* of land in "L'Ardicheta" by Nicola Carotenuto from the royal monasteries.

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|17/04/1692

|Sale Deed

|Notary Stefano Cirillo

|Purchase of 4 *moggia* of woodland by Nicola Carotenuto from Stefano Borriello.

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|22/07/1703

|Nuncupative Will

|Notary Giacomo Carotenuto

|Will of Nicola Carotenuto, naming his grandsons as heirs and establishing the estate of Don Francesco.

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|1707–1711

|Ecclesiastical *Processetto*

|Curia of Naples

|Ordination proceedings for Don Francesco Carotenuto (*Doctor U.J.*).

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|1719–1722

|Ecclesiastical *Processetto*

|Curia of Naples

|Ordination proceedings the priestly of Don Giovanni Principio Carotenuto.