The Querini family traces its roots to ancient times, probably originating in Eraclea or Cittanova, and is among the first founders of Venice. By the end of the thirteenth century, they were considered among the richest families in the city, having actively participated in its political, artistic and economic life for centuries.

In 1310, Bajamonte Tiepolo and Marco Querini supported a conspiracy to overthrow the reigning Doge Pietro Gradenigo to whose despotic policies they objected . This rebellious act dishonoured the name of the Querini family, who were henceforth banned from the Dogeate.

Their household was soon divided into several branches including that of Santa Maria Formosa. In the fourteenth century Zuanne Querini bought an island in the Dodecanese which in 1527 became a Turkish conquest, and the name “Stampalia” is derived from that of the island, “Astipalea.”

Alvise Querini, who was serving as ambassador of Venice to Paris during the fall of the Republic in 1797, was the first to adopt the name Stampalia to distinguish himself from another person of that same name at the Napoleonic court in Milan. Since that time, the double surname has indicated both the name of the family and the Foundation.

This branch of the family also produced  two significant personalities of the eighteenth century: Angelo Maria, cardinal, brilliant scholar and a leading member of European cultural life of his day, was the founder of the Queriniana Library of Brescia; and Andrea, an enlightened politician and patron of Carlo Goldoni, who dedicated a comedy to him. He also commssioned his friend Pietro Longhi to paint the cycle “The Seven Sacraments” for his bedroom, which is to be found in the palazzo to this day.