The gens Afrania was a plebeian family at Rome, which is first mentioned in the second century BC. The first member of this gens to achieve prominence was Gaius Afranius Stellio, who became praetor in 185 BC. Origin The nomen Afranius belongs to a class of gentilicia derived from surnames ending in -anus, typically derived from place names. The Afranii may have been of Picentine origin. Lucius Afranius, who held the consulship in 60 BC, was from Picenum, and a Titus Afranius or Afrenius was one of the leaders of the allies during the Social War. Praenomina The main praenomina used by the Afranii were Lucius, Publius, Gaius, Gnaeus and Sextus. There are also several occurrences of Marcus and Quintus, while other praenomina occur infrequently, with individual instances of Aulus, Spurius, and Titus. Branches and cognomina The only cognomen of the Afranii in the time of the Republic is Stellio, referring to a spotted newt or lizard, perhaps with the implication that the bearer was crafty. Other surnames are found under the Empire. Members Gaius Afranius Stellio, praetor in 185 BC, and triumvir for founding a colony in 183. Gaius Afranius C. f. Stellio, served in the war against Perseus, and was taken captive at the surrender of the Roman garrison at Uscana, 169 BC. Lucius Afranius, a comic poet, who lived at the beginning of the first century BC. Titus Afranius, one of the leaders of the Italian confederates in the Social War. Lucius Afranius A. f., legate of Gnaeus Pompeius, and consul in 60 BC. Spurius Afranius, appears on coins. Marcus Afranius, appears on coins. Gaia Afrania, wife of the senator Licinius Buccio. Lucius Afranius L. l. Buccio, a freedman named in an inscription from Rome. Lucius Afranius L. f. A. n., negotiated with Caesar in Hispania for his life and that of his father. Publius Afranius Potitus, having vowed to sacrifice himself in order to bring about the recovery of Caligula from an illness, was cruelly put to death by the emperor to fulfill the promise. Sextus Afranius Burrus, a general in the time of Claudius, who served as tutor and advisor to the emperor Nero. When he refused to assist Nero in ridding himself of his mother, and then his wife, the emperor had Burrus poisoned, in AD 62. Afranius Quintianus, a senator, was compelled to commit suicide as a result of his part in Piso's