The history of the family stretches back to the early 12th century. After battling over the command of the city of Milan, the dukes de la Torre took up residence in Cornello near Bergamo. According to family tradition, these Italian dukes are the ancestors of the Taxis.

Emperor Ferdinand III recognized the Taxis as successors of the Torriani, and granted them permission to incorporate the Torre arms, and name, with their own. The tower (torre) became Thurn and the badger (tasso), the name Taxis.