The family itself traced back its origins to the Middle Ages when its representatives acquired wealth in trade and gradually bought lands around Pistoia where in time they moved. They established a bank, were active in trade and agriculture, while also boasting several well-known knights.

The family experienced true prosperity and ennoblement during the pontificate of Clement IX (1667-1669). The pope’s brother Camillo became head of the pope’s army, while his sons (Tommaso, Giacomo Camillo, Felice) – gifted with posts and apanages – aided in managing the affairs of the State of the Church. However, it was Gian Battista, who initially took over the post of general in the papal army from his father, who truly became the founder of a dynasty significant in all of Italy. An important factor in this process was his wedding with the heiress to a Genoa-based, wealthy, Pallavicini family – Maria Camilla. Thanks to the bride’s uncle (Lazzaro Pallavicini), appointed to the post of cardinal by Clement IX, the newlyweds came into possession of numerous small duchies around Rome, purchased from other impoverished families, along with the titles that went along with them (Zagarolo, Gallicano).

However, the fullest reflection of the power of the family was the purchase of a palace complex on Quirinal Hill in 1704. The palace (referred to from then on as Palazzo Pallavicini-Rospigliosi) was expanded with among others, a monumental gallery, which included numerous works of art inherited from the cardinal-uncle. After the death of the couple (1772), the fortune works of art, and the Roman palace, as well as the surname, were divided between two sons. The first of these, Clemente Domenico, inherited the Rospigliosi part, the second – Niccolò Maria – Pallavicini. The reason for the split was to prevent the second surname from disappearing. This did in fact succeed, the representatives of the Pallavicini family still today inhabit the left side of the palace. On the other hand, the financial troubles of the descendants of the Rospigliosis, which began at the start of the XX century, forced them to gradually sell their fortune, properties, and lands. That is why in the thirties of the XX century the right side of the palace was sold. Today it serves as the residence for one of Italy's industrial unions, which rents out the palace rooms for conferences and all kinds of events.

And so the career of the Rospigliosi family in Rome came to an end.

The last chord of the common existence of both families is the family chapel (Rospigliosi-Pallavicini chapel) in the Church of San Francesco a Ripa on Trastevere. Maria Camilla Pallavicini and her husband Gian Battista Rospigliosi were buried there.