Guelf
/ɡwɛlf/noun
A member or supporter of the medieval Italian political faction that generally backed the papacy against the imperial Ghibellines.
Did you know?The Guelfs and Ghibellines turned political allegiance into a near-sacred identity, dividing cities, families, and ruling dynasties across medieval Italy.
Etymological Timeline
8th Century
Old High German
Welf
“Dynastic personal name of the German Welf family; its deeper meaning is uncertain, though a connection with a word for a young animal has been proposed.”
11th Century
Medieval Latin
Welfi / Guelfi
“Name applied to the Welf dynasty and, increasingly, to its political supporters.”
12th Century
Italian
Guelfo
“A supporter of the papacy in the political struggles against the imperialist Ghibellines.”
13th Century
Old French
Guelphe
“A Guelf or papal partisan in European political writing.”
14th Century
English
Guelf
“A member of the Italian faction supporting the pope against the Holy Roman Emperor.”
Modern English
English
Guelf
“A historical term for a papal or anti-imperial faction member, especially in medieval Italy.”