Al-Walid I
The family is said to descend from the Hispano-Roman or Visigothic nobleman named Cassius. Muslim chronicles and the "Chronicle of Alfonso III" suggest he was a Visigoth. According to the 10th century Muwallad historian, Ibn al-Qūṭiyya, Count Cassius converted to Islam in 714 as the "mawlā" (client) of the Umayyads, shortly after their conquest of Hispania. After his conversion, he is said to have traveled to Damascus to personally swear allegiance to the Umayyad Caliph, Al-Walid I.