The many branches of the Malaspina family belong to the Obertenghi caste, descended from Oberto I, count Palatine in the Xth century and marquess of the eastern March of Liguria.

Oberto's descendants then subdivided into several Houses, the most famous of which being the Pallavicini, Este, Brunswick and Hanover or else the Massa, Gavi and Parodi.

The name Malaspina appeared for the first time in history in 1130, borne by the Marquess Alberto.