History of the Five Families

History of the Five Families

The Five Families are the five major organized crime groups of the Italian-American Mafia based in New York City. They emerged in the early 20th century and became the dominant structure of organized crime in the United States.

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Origins and Formation (1931)

The Five Families were formally established in 1931 by Salvatore Maranzano following the end of the Castellammarese War, a violent internal conflict between rival Mafia factions in New York City. The war ended after the murder of Giuseppe Masseria in April 1931.

After taking control, Maranzano reorganized the surviving Mafia groups into five structured organizations: the Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese families. Each was assigned territory and a formal leadership hierarchy.

Maranzano initially declared himself capo di tutti capi (“boss of all bosses”), requiring all families to report directly to him.

However, this centralized authority was short-lived. Maranzano was assassinated in September 1931, an action widely associated with Lucky Luciano and his allies, who opposed the “boss of all bosses” system.

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The Commission System

After Maranzano’s death, the Mafia leadership structure was replaced with a governing body known as The Commission.

The Commission established a cooperative system among the Five Families rather than centralized control. It was designed to:

• Prevent internal wars between families
• Resolve territorial disputes
• Oversee major organizational decisions

The Commission originally included the leaders of the Five Families, along with other major crime organizations such as the Buffalo crime family and the Chicago Outfit. It remains a foundational governing concept in American Mafia structure.

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Mafia Hierarchy

Maranzano introduced a formal organizational structure that remains the standard model for Mafia families:

• Boss (Capofamiglia) – overall leader of the family
• Underboss – second-in-command
• Consigliere – advisor and mediator
• Caporegime (Capo) – crew leader
• Soldier (Soldato) – inducted member
• Associate – non-made affiliate

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Evolution of Family Names

By the 1960s, especially following the Valachi hearings, the families became publicly known under names based on their prominent leaders:

• Bonanno – Joseph Bonanno
• Colombo – Joseph Colombo (formerly Profaci)
• Gambino – Carlo Gambino
• Genovese – Vito Genovese
• Lucchese – Tommy Lucchese

With the exception of the Profaci-to-Colombo transition, these names have remained largely stable.

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Territories and Operations

The Five Families have historically operated primarily in New York City and the surrounding metropolitan area, with influence extending into multiple states.

Their core territory includes:

• New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island)
• Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties)
• Westchester, Rockland, and Albany counties
• New Jersey (strong, long-standing presence)

Additional influence has historically extended into Florida, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Nevada (Las Vegas), and other regions.

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Family Activity Areas (General Overview)

Bonanno Crime Family: Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, and parts of New Jersey and Florida.

Colombo Crime Family: Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Staten Island, Manhattan, and New Jersey.

Gambino Crime Family: Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island, Long Island, New Jersey, and broader national influence.

Genovese Crime Family: Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, and New Jersey, with broader regional influence across the Northeast.

Lucchese Crime Family: Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey, with additional activity in surrounding areas.

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Expansion Beyond New York

Over time, the Five Families expanded influence beyond New York City into broader criminal markets, particularly in construction, labor unions, gambling, trucking, and related industries.

Their presence has been documented in parts of New Jersey, Florida, Connecticut, and other U.S. regions, often through local crews and affiliated networks.

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Modern Era

From the late 20th century onward, increased federal enforcement—especially through the RICO Act— significantly weakened traditional Mafia structures.

Many major leaders were convicted or imprisoned, reducing centralized control and forcing operations to become smaller, less visible, and more fragmented.

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Popular Culture

The Five Families have been widely depicted in film, television, and literature, often shaping public perception of organized crime.

Film

• The Godfather (1972) – fictional representation of Five Families structure
• Analyze This (1999) – comedic portrayal referencing Mafia leadership history

Literature

• Wiseguy (1986) by Nicholas Pileggi – basis for Goodfellas

Television

• Boardwalk Empire – rise of Luciano-era Mafia structure
• The Sopranos – fictional New Jersey family tied to New York Mafia ecosystem
• Person of Interest – recurring depiction of Five Families leadership
• Brooklyn Nine-Nine – comedic reference to Brooklyn crime families

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Summary

The Five Families remain one of the most influential organized crime structures in American history. Established in 1931, their hierarchical system and Commission-based governance reshaped how organized crime operated in the United States for decades.