Count Antonio Hercolani Fava Simonetti (Bologna, 22 January 1883 – Bologna, 18 June 1962), born Antonio Hercolani, was a member of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

Born into a noble family from Bologna

Bologna

Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...

, he never took the Order's vows but held several diplomatic and institutional posts within it. On 15 June 1912, in Bologna, he married Marianna Ghislieri Fava Simonetti, daughter of count Alessandro Ghislieri and lady Isotta Fava Simonetti of the principality of Musone. Thanks to this marriage Antonio Hercolani was allowed to add Fava Simonetti to his surname on 29 August 1921. They had one son, Filippo Rinaldo (1913–2002), who also had issue.

On the death of Ludovico Chigi Albani della Rovere

Ludovico Chigi Albani della Rovere

Fra' Ludovico Chigi Albani della Rovere was the 76th Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta from 1931 to 1951....

 in 1951, Simonetti temporarily held the post of Lieutenant General of the Order until the election of della Rovere's successor as Grand Master, but that election was long-delayed and so in 1955 Simonetti appointed Ernesto Paternò Castello di Carcaci

Ernesto Paternó Castello di Carcaci

Ernesto Paternò Castello di Carcaci was Lieutenant General of the Sovereign Order of Malta from 1955 to 1962 . In 1962 Carcaci retired from the post on the election of Angelo de Mojana di Cologna as Grand Master....

to replace him as Lieutenant General and retired from the post.