Alfonso Ceccarelli

Alfonso Ceccarelli (1532–1583) was an Italian physician and genealogist. He authored many false genealogical studies. He was sued, arrested, tortured and beheaded for forging wills and other legal documents.

Early life Alfonso Ceccarelli was born in 1532 in Città di Castello, Italy. His father was a notary. The genealogical study suggested the House of Grimaldi descended from Normandy, which was false.

Ceccarelli forged wills and other legal documents. He was sued, arrested and tortured.

Death and legacy Ceccarelli was beheaded for his crimes on 9 July 1583, in Rome, Italy.

In the seventeenth century, Ceccarelli's research was used as a source by Charles de Venasque-Ferriol, a Monegasque courtier who authored Genealogica et Historica Grimaldœ Gentis arbor in 1647 with the aim of linking the House of Grimaldi to the French royal family.