The "Zenevias", probably the Zenebishi, are mentioned in 1304 as one of the families that were granted privileges by the Angevin Philip I, Prince of Taranto.
[1] According to Robert Elsie, the family originated from the Zagoria region between Gjirokastër and Përmet, in modern-day southern Albania.
During this time, the Zenebishi clan annexed Saiata and Dryïnoupolis and made Gjirokastër the capital of their territory.
[11] In 1443, Simon Zenebishi, Gjon's grandson, built the Strovili fortress with Venetian approval and support.
[14] The other son of Gjon, whose Muslim name was Hamza Zenebishi, was an Ottoman military commander who defeated the forces of the Despots of the Morea besieging Patras in 1459.