The Caracciolos are considered one of the most important families in the history of the Kingdom of Naples, and also held relevant posts in the Spanish Empire, Holy Roman Empire, and the Catholic Church.

The house boasted a mythical Byzantine origin, however, the first documented mention of the family date back to the 10th century with the progenitor Teodoro Caracciolo, who was reported in ancient documents as Theodorus Caracziolus, of which only archival information is available; he was buried together with his wife Urania in the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Naples.

He is reported to have died on 20 March 976, the date of a document in which it is learned that in this period his daughter Theodonanda made a donation to the Monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Naples.

[4] In 1869, the family was enrolled in the Libro d'Oro, the Golden Book of the Italian nobility.

One notable member of the family who was involved with the church was Saint Francis Caracciolo.