Aemilia (gens) - Branches and Cognomina of The Gens

Branches and Cognomina of The Gens

The oldest stirps of the Aemilii used Mamercus and its diminutive, Mamercinus as a cognomen. This family flourished from the earliest period to the time of the Samnite Wars. Several other major branches, including the Papi, Barbulae, Paulli, and Lepidi, date from this period, and may have been descended from the Mamercini. The Aemilii Paulli vanished with the death of Lucius Aemilius Paullus, the conqueror of Macedonia, in 160 BC. His sons, though grown, were adopted into the families of the Fabii Maximi and the Cornelii Scipiones.

The family of the Aemilii Lepidi came to prominence at the beginning of the 3rd century BC, and from then to imperial times was one of the most distinguished in the state. In the 1st century BC they revived several old names, including the praenomina Mamercus and Paullus, and the cognomina Paullus and Regillus. The Aemilii Scauri flourished from the beginning of the 2nd century BC to the beginning of the 1st century AD. The cognomina Buca and Regillus apparently belonged to short-lived families. Other surnames are found in imperial times.