Umberto, or Humbert, is the son of…

Umberto, or Humbert, is the son of Amadeus (who was perhaps count of Maurienne).

His brother is Bishop Otto of Belley.

Umberto is the progenitor of the dynasty known as the House of Savoy.

The origins of this dynasty are unknown, but Humbert's ancestors are variously said to have come from Saxony, Burgundy or Provence.

Given Humbert's close connections with Rudolf III of Burgundy, it is likely that his family is Burgundian, and is descended either from the dukes of Vienne, or from or a Burgundian aristocratic family (such as the Guigonids, ancestors of the counts of Albon).

Umberto initially held lands around Belley and in the county of Sermorens, before gaining lands in Aosta and Valais.

He is also called Umberto the White-Handed, reportedly to signify his generosity.

However, this posthumously applied title may derive from a misreading of a late medieval record (in Latin) which actually refers to the walls of his castle (blancis moenibus), not his hands (blancis manibus), as white.

After Rudolf III’s death in 1032, Umberto I swears fealty to Emperor Conrad II.

He supports the emperor in his campaigns against Odo II, Count of Blois and Archbishop Aribert of Milan.

In return, Conrad appoints Umberto count of Savoy and grants him Maurienne, Chablais and perhaps Tarentaise.