The town had its origins as an ancientVolscian citadel that surrendered to the Romans in 330 BC (424 Ab Urbe Condita).[3] Its name in ancient times wasFabrateria Vetus.
According to tradition, the name was changed into the current one in the early Middle Ages. This was done in honor of one Petronius Ceccanus – father ofPope Honorius I. Conquered by theLombards at the time of KingAistulf (c. 750), later it became an important fortress of the Papal territories. In 1218, a monk from nearbyFossanova Abbey compiled theAnnals of Ceccano. From 900 to 1450, it was ruled by the local Counts of Ceccano – most likely of German origin; later their territories were assigned toRodrigo Borgia byPope Alexander VI and then to theColonna family.
From 3 November 1943 and 31 May 1944, duringWorld War II, the town suffered 38 air attacks from Allied forces despite having no strategic importance. During one of these air attacks, the Church ofSanta Maria a Fiume – a national monument, was destroyed. Canadian Army war artist Charles Comfort painted the town as it appeared during the Second World War.
