The gens Caninia was a plebeian family at Rome during the later Republic. The first member of the gens who obtained any of the curule offices was Gaius Caninius Rebilus, praetor in 171 BC; but the first Caninius who was consul was his namesake, Gaius Caninius Rebilus, in 45 BC.
The nomen Caninius may be connected with the Latin adjective canus or kanus, meaning "white" or "grey", perhaps referring to the color of a person's hair. It might also be derived from the adjective caninus, meaning "hound-like", "snarling".
The principal names of the Caninii were Gaius, Lucius, and Marcus, which were also the three most common praenomina throughout Roman history. At least one of the family bore the praenomen Aulus.
Branches and cognomina of the gens
The chief families of the Caninii bore the cognomina Gallus and Rebilus. The surname Satrius is also found, and there was a Caninius Sallustius, who was adopted by some member of this gens. Gallus was a common surname, which may refer to a Gaul, or to a cock.
This list includes abbreviated praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see filiation.
Gaius Caninius Rebilus, praetor in 171 BC, obtained Sicily as his province.
Marcus Caninius Rebilus, sent by the senate into Macedonia in 170 BC to investigate the lack of Roman progress in the war against Perseus; one of the ambassadors appointed in 167 BC to return the Thracian hostages to Cotys.
Gaius Caninius Rebilus, one of Caesar's legates in Gaul, and later during the Civil War; consul suffectus for the final day of 45 BC.
(Caninius) Rebilus, probably a brother of the consul of 45 BC, proscribed by the triumvirs, but escaped to Sextus Pompeius in Sicily.
Gaius Caninius Rebilus, suffect consul in 12 BC. Died in office.
Caninius Rebilus, a man of consular rank and great wealth, but bad character; Julius Graecinus refused to accept a gift of money from him on account of his character. He is probably the same person who put an end to his life under the emperor Nero, whose name was evidently corrupted into C. Aminius Rebius.
Lucius Caninius Gallus, tribunus plebis in 56 BC, a friend of Cicero.
Lucius Caninius L. f. Gallus, consul in 37, and triumvir monetalis in 18 BC.
Lucius Caninius L. f. L. n. Gallus, consul suffectus in 2 BC.
Aulus Caninius Satrius, mentioned by Cicero in 65 BC.
Caninius Sallustius, quaestor of Marcus Calpurnius Bibulus, the proconsul of Syria; one of Cicero's letters is addressed to him. He may have been adopted into the Caninia gens, or possibly his name is corrupt, and should read C. Annius Sallustius or Cn. Sallustius.
