The gens Arria was a plebeian family of ancient Rome, first recorded in the final century of the Republic, and prestigious during imperial times.
The first of the gens to achieve prominence was Quintus Arrius, praetor in 72 BC.
[2] They probably came to Rome some time during the middle or late Republic; Cicero describes the first of the Arrii mentioned in history as a man of low birth, who achieved his station through hard work, rather than by education or talent.
In imperial times, we find the surnames Gallus, Varus, and Aper.
Gallus and Aper belong to a widespread class of surnames derived from familiar objects and animals; Aper signified a wild boar, while Gallus refers to a cockerel, although it could also refer to a Gaul, indicating someone of Gallic descent or association.