A very ancient family, already present in the eleventh century; counts of Gualdana, near Voghera, and patricians of the same city, where the Cavagna enjoyed numerous offices together with the honor of their social position: city magistrates, prelates, soldiers, scholars and professors of the Studio Pavese.  In more recent times, once should remember Giacinto Cavagna.  Infantry lieutenant in 1840, then in the Carabinieri Reali during the 1848-49 campaign against the Austrians, during which he took part in the famous cavalry charge of the Carabinieri at the battle of Pastrengo (30 April 1848).  After a brilliant career in the above corps, as Major General he lead the 1^st and 14^th infantry brigades in 1860, retiring later with the rank of Lieutenant General.

A famous historian was Antonio Cavagna-Sangiuliani (who added the second surname after being adopted by a cousin).  A volunteer in the 6^th cavalry regiment Lancieri d’Aosta during the Italo-Austrian war of 1866, after the end of the latter he gave his life to historical research.  Amongst his many, significant works, one should mention: L’Agro Vogherese.  Memorie Sparse di Storia Patria; Il Castello di Stefanago con notizie sulla famiglia Corti; La basilica di San Marcello in Montalino; San Zaccaria nella valle dell’Ardivesta e la sua Pieve; Fra colli e valli del Vogherese; L’abbazia di Morimondo sulla costiera del Ticino; and Documenti vogheresi nell’Archivio di Stato di Milano.  A gentleman of good, solid and extensive knowledge, Antonio Cavagna was renowned within the Lombard and Piedmontese intellectual circles of the nineteenth century, also holding numerous public offices and many Italian and foreign decorations.

Blasone dei Cavagna conti di Gualdana

Di rosso al leone d'oro, con la fascia d'azzurro attraversante, carica di un cesto d'oro, con il capo d'oro carico di un'aquila coronata di nero