The family, which founded its wealth on trading, finance and the acquisition of land, originates from Guido and Oberto, grandsons of Belo Bozumi.

In May 1262 he joined forces with Oberto Doria to drive the foreign capitano del popolo of Genoa, Guglielmo Boccanegra, from power and reform the government.

However, his son Corrado Spinola was a leading admiral in the Genoese war with Pisa.

Shortly afterwards, Francesco led a revolt that ended the rule of a Visconti based in Milan over Genoa.

The great Italian-Spanish general, Ambrogio Spinola, Captain-General of the Army of Flanders from 1603 to 1629 is a member of this family.